Over 3,000 People Benefit From FCTA Free Medical Services In Bwari

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has offered free medical services to over 3,000 residents of Bwari, in Bwari area council, as part of its Renewed Hope Medical Mission.

The services included health promotion, antenatal care, immunisations, free HIV screening, and tests for diabetes, hypertension, and sickle cell disease. Dental services and nutritional assessments were also provided.

While launching the medical outreach in the Bwari area council, the FCT minister of state, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, expressed the administration’s commitment to meeting healthcare needs and providing top-quality medical services to FCT residents.

She noted that Nigeria faces high maternal and child mortality rates due to poor antenatal care attendance, low facility-based deliveries, and limited access to family planning and immunisation, especially in remote communities.

Dr Mahmoud pointed out that rapid population growth in the FCT has increased demand for healthcare, posing serious challenges. To address this, the administration is focused on improving primary healthcare by renovating, upgrading, and building more health centres in all six area councils. She added that hiring additional healthcare workers is also part of the effort.

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The minister took the opportunity to raise awareness of pregnancy danger signs, the importance of antenatal care, exclusive breastfeeding, and immunisation to prevent diseases such as polio, tuberculosis, and measles.

She also highlighted the need for screenings for HIV, diabetes, and hypertension.

Earlier, the mandate secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat, FCTA, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, acknowledged that while there has been progress in providing healthcare to FCT residents, many communities are still underserved.

She explained that free medical missions are a globally recognised practice aimed at providing healthcare to vulnerable populations.

Fasawe said these mobile health services have been successfully implemented in various parts of Nigeria, reaching those who need care the most.

“Health insurance has been declared free for every pregnant woman in the FCT, not only for the pregnant woman, for the child that will be delivered, the first year of his life, even if you have to do a caesarean section, you are covered under our health insurance scheme. I believe this is bringing hope to the people.

“We know the socioeconomic situation of the country right now. The least prescription we have done here today is for one month for those who are hypertensive, diabetic and other chronic illnesses. You can save money and use it for other things. This is the second local government area we are coming to. Kuje was the first, this is the second, and before the end of the year, we will touch many area councils, even internally displaced persons camps,” she stated.

She emphasised that the success of the last medical outreach in the Kuje Area Council spurred the expansion of the 2024 medical mission.

During the previous outreach, 1,578 patients received general outpatient care, with 42 requiring referrals to Wuse and Asokoro Hospitals for surgery. Dental services were provided to 302 patients, including extractions and dentures, with additional referrals for further treatment.

Eye care services were also offered to 931 patients, with 531 receiving reading glasses and 91 referred for further treatment at Asokoro Hospital. So far, 29 cataract surgeries have been completed. Antenatal care was given to 74 women, 49 of whom were enrolled in health insurance.