Plateau performs 724 surgeries during free medical outreach

Plateau Government says it recorded 724 surgical operations, including 151 major and 573 minor surgeries, during its two-week free mega medical outreach across the state's three senatorial zones.

Dr Nicholas Ba’amlong, the Commissioner for Health, disclosed this on Saturday in Jos while presenting the achievements recorded during the exercise.

He said no deaths were recorded throughout the outreach, which benefited 17,603 patients, exceeding the initial target of 6,000 persons.

Ba’amlong said the 151 major surgeries included 26 caesarean deliveries, alongside myomectomies, hysterectomies, prostatectomies, thyroidectomies and orthopaedic interventions.

He said the outreach also recorded 5,033 eye consultations, with 3,588 pairs of eyeglasses distributed and 390 cataract surgeries performed.

The commissioner added that 4,857 laboratory investigations were conducted, while 1,334 dental consultations were recorded.

According to him, other dental services provided included 893 scaling and polishing procedures, 263 dental fillings, 867 extractions, 541 dentures and two gum treatments.

He said 457 elderly persons were also enrolled in the Plateau State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (PLASCHEMA) during the exercise.

Ba’amlong explained that the Central Senatorial Zone recorded 4,294 patients, while the Southern and Northern zones attended to 5,625 and 7,684 patients, respectively.

He said the outreach, organised by Gov. Caleb Mutfwang, provided general medical consultations, laboratory investigations, eye consultations and surgeries, dental services, specialist surgical interventions, health education and enrolment into PLASCHEMA.

He described the achievement as a demonstration of the state government’s commitment to improving access to quality and affordable healthcare, irrespective of residents’ social and economic circumstances.

The commissioner, however, said the conclusion of the general medical outreach would not mark the end of the intervention.

He said the programme would continue for another three weeks through specialised and high-tech surgical interventions at Plateau State Specialist Hospital, Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and Potters Specialist Hospital, all in Jos.

According to him, the planned interventions will include advanced orthopaedic surgeries, neurological and neurosurgical operations, specialised urological surgeries and Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) procedures.

He explained that the specialised phase was designed to provide patients requiring complex surgical procedures with access to treatment without the enormous financial burden ordinarily associated with such interventions.

Ba’amlong said the extension demonstrated the government’s determination to ensure that the benefits of the outreach went beyond routine consultations and basic medical interventions.

He commended Mutfwang for initiating and providing the necessary support for the programme, describing it as a practical demonstration of his administration’s commitment to prioritising the health and welfare of residents.

The commissioner also acknowledged the contributions of management and staff of participating health facilities, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, dentists, optometrists, surgeons, volunteers and other healthcare professionals.

He appreciated local government chairmen, traditional rulers, community leaders, religious leaders, security agencies and members of the media for their support and cooperation.

Ba’amlong reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to building on the achievements of the outreach and ensuring that the intervention contributed to the broader objective of achieving Universal Health Coverage in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the outreach, which commenced on October 19 and ended on November 6, was conducted across the three senatorial zones of Plateau, with seven designated health facilities participating in the exercise.