More than 5,000 vulnerable and underserved individuals in Nasarawa State are benefiting from a free medical outreach organized as part of activities to commemorate this year’s International Nurses Week.
Flagging off the weeklong initiative in Lafia, the Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Nasarawa State Council, Comrade Avre Ayaka Attah, said the outreach is aimed at providing relief to disadvantaged individuals battling various health conditions without access to quality medical care.
The medical outreach, spearheaded by the state chapter of NANNM, has witnessed a large turnout—particularly among the elderly, women, and children under five—who have been accessing free healthcare services at designated centres across the state.
Speaking to journalists at one of the centres in Lafia, Comrade Attah noted that the overwhelming response underscores the urgent need to scale up efforts toward achieving universal health coverage in Nigeria.
He stressed the importance of strategic collaborations with the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and international donors, pointing out that healthcare delivery is a shared responsibility and should not be left to the government alone.
In Bukan Sidi, one of the outreach locations, a beneficiary, Mallam Zakari Ayuba, described the initiative as unprecedented and life-saving. He called on the government to subsidize the cost of medicines and other medical services for the most vulnerable populations.
Other beneficiaries, including Hajiya Larai Aliyu and Bamaiyi Akau, expressed profound gratitude. They said the outreach not only brought them much-needed treatment but also raised awareness about the importance of regular medical check-ups.
In addition to the medical services, the Nurses Week celebration featured environmental sanitation exercises, hygiene awareness campaigns, a novelty football match, and a gala night to honour the vital role of nurses in promoting community health. (Radio Nigeria)