Foundation, PHC Board Take Free Healthcare To Rigasa Community

The Dr Nafisa Sanda Foundation, in collaboration with Kaduna State Primary Health Care Development Agency, has commenced a three day free medical outreach in Rigasa.

The outreach, held at Rigasa Primary Health Centre, aims to bring quality healthcare services closer to residents, particularly underserved women and children.

Dr Nafisa Sanda, Director-General, APC Medical and Health Council, said Rigasa was selected because of its large population and significant healthcare needs.

She said the outreach would provide free consultations, medical screenings, maternal and child health services, immunisation and health education.

According to her, the programme will also address malnutrition, minor medical conditions and other healthcare needs affecting residents.

She urged residents to take advantage of the outreach, stressing that access to quality healthcare remained essential to community development.

The Executive Secretary, Kaduna State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Prof. Bello Jamo, described the initiative as a joint effort to complement government healthcare programmes.

Jamo said the three day outreach would cover screening for diabetes, hypertension and other common ailments affecting members of the community.

He said pregnant women would receive antenatal services, while children under five would benefit from nutrition interventions and other healthcare services.

The executive secretary said minor surgical procedures would also be conducted, including hernia, hydrocele, male circumcision and removal of lipomas.

He said the initiative aligned with Gov. Uba Sani’s commitment to bringing healthcare services to the doorsteps of Kaduna residents.

Jamo said the state government had rehabilitated 255 primary healthcare centres and elevated them to Level Two facilities.

He added that about 20 secondary health facilities had also been renovated, revitalised and re-equipped across the state.

According to him, the government has also completed the 300-bed Bola Ahmed Tinubu Specialist Hospital in Millennium City.

Jamo said the state government had continued recruiting health workers and providing incentives to motivate personnel and strengthen healthcare delivery.

The Chairman of Igabi Local Government Area, Sani Abdul, appreciated the organisers for bringing free medical services directly to residents of Rigasa.

Abdul said the outreach would particularly benefit women and children, adding that the local government remained committed to supporting healthcare delivery.

He said the state government had rehabilitated healthcare facilities within the community and provided essential drugs to manage common ailments.

The chairman listed malaria, hypertension and diabetes among conditions being addressed through improved access to primary healthcare services.

He appealed to residents to continue supporting government programmes aimed at improving healthcare delivery and community development.

A representative of the Progressive Congress Medical Council, Dr Olawale Oladipo said the team was committed to taking healthcare services to underserved communities.

He said the outreach would help detect silent conditions, including hypertension and diabetes, which could remain unnoticed without proper medical screening.

Oladipo said pregnant women would receive maternal micronutrient supplements, while children would benefit from deworming and immunisation services.

He added that the medical team would attend to other common diseases and perform minor surgical procedures where necessary.

Pharmacist Habu Yusuf, in his goodwill message, said medical outreaches were important because many beneficiaries could not easily access conventional healthcare services.

Yusuf commended the foundation, government and Primary Health Care Development Agency for collaborating to provide healthcare services to vulnerable residents.

He said the health committee remained committed to supporting programmes that improve access to quality healthcare at the grassroots.

Abdullahi Yusuf, representing the Rigasa community, expressed appreciation to the organisers for selecting the community as the first beneficiary of the initiative.

Yusuf said residents would greatly benefit from the free services, noting that Rigasa had an estimated population of more than three million people.

Hajiya Habiba Ahmad Aliyu, Director of Community Health Services, described the outreach as a source of joy, particularly for women and children.

Aliyu urged pregnant women to attend antenatal clinics regularly and ensure their children received routine immunisation and proper nutrition.

She also encouraged women to embrace facility-based deliveries to safeguard their health and that of their babies.

She said the programme would strengthen awareness of healthcare services and encourage residents to seek early treatment for illnesses.

The organisers said the outreach would continue for three days and urged residents of Rigasa and surrounding communities to utilise the free services. (NAN)