The FCT Administration (FCTA) says it has concluded plans to provide free healthcare services under its “Renewed Hope Medical Outreach” programme, in Kuje Area Council of the FCT.
Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, FCTA Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, stated this when she visited the traditional leader of Kuje, and the Chairman of the Kuje Area Council, in Kuje on Monday.
Fasawe explained that the medical outreach was part of activities to celebrate President Bola Tinubu’s one year in office.
“We will be offering general healthcare services, eye care with free glasses and surgery when necessary, dental care, and free blood, HIV, hepatitis test.
“We also have nutritional desk where we will teach women on how to make cheap, affordable and quality food for their children, she said.
Fasawe added: “Not only that, we will also have a health education department to teach people how to prevent diseases.
“We will also go further to talk about clean cooking for people to be conscious of the environment and the air we breathe.
“We will be demonstrating and giving out gas cookers to show people the effectiveness and advantage of cooking without smoke.
“This is because the smoke we inhaled is bad for our lungs and our children’s development,” she said.
The mandate secretary said that the outreach would be open to residents of the area but with particular attention to women and children.
She said that every woman that showed up would be registered to access free health services for one year.
Fasawe explained that the gesture was in line with the one year health insurance for pregnant women approved by the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike.
“This is because we have zero tolerance to maternal mortality. It is unacceptable for any woman to die of pregnancy or childbirth complications,” she said.
Fasawe urged pregnant women to visit nearest primary health centres for antenatal care and to deliver their baby with a skilled birth attendant
On the target residents, she said: “We intend to reach as much as we can; as much that comes in here; and as much as time allows.
“For those that we cannot see, there is provision for further care at the nearest Primary Healthcare Centres and the General Hospitals.
“Basically, the target is come one; come all, but on a first come first serve basis. There won’t be favouritism; just come, get a number and you get adequate healthcare,” she said.
She explained that the outreach, which would begin on June 12, was the first of many, adding that after covering the six Area Councils, it would be extended to communities based needs.
She said that the choice of locations was scientific, adding, “we look at the hospital records; and we look at health seeking habits.
“We have realised that the people of Kuje are actually needing much more than our general hospital can give right now,” she said.
Also, the Permanent Secretary, Dr Babagana Adam, urged the traditional leaders and council’s officials to mobilise residents in Churches and Mosques to take advantage of the opportunity to access free medical services.
In his remarks, the Gomo of Kuje, Alhaji Haruna Jibrin, thanked the Secretariat for the medical outreach which he described as good news.
“I thank President Tinubu, FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike and FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud for considering Kuje for the initiative,” he said.
Also, the Kuje Area Council Chairman, Mr Abdullahi Sabo, assured Fasawe of the council’s full support.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, who bears the same name, Sabo said he had directed all the 10 Counselors in the council to mobilise their people for the exercise.
“We will continue to support Wike as agents of Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda,” he said. (NAN)
By Philip Yatai
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