The Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) has provided free medical and surgical services to more than 1,000 residents of Zaria, Kaduna State.
The intervention was carried out in partnership with the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) and other health organizations.
Dr. Aisha Mustapha, President of MWAN Kaduna State branch, said on Sunday in Zaria that the medical outreach marked the official opening of the association’s 24th National Conference and Scientific Meeting.
She explained that the services were offered at a primary school adjacent to the Emir of Zazzau’s palace and covered a wide range of healthcare needs, including:
- Minor surgeries
- Cervical screening
- Radiology services
- Dental care
- Eye treatment
- Donation of corrective glasses for presbyopia patients
“We anticipate to see, diagnose and treat a minimum of 1,000 people,” Mustapha said, noting that the association received strong support from the Emir of Zazzau, Malam Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli.
“Most of us schooled in this community, and it is time to give back as part of our social responsibility. That is why we decided that this 24th biennium medical outreach should hold right here in the palace,” she added.
The Emir of Zazzau commended MWAN and its partners for bringing healthcare closer to his people.
“Indeed, we are very grateful, all of us in Zazzau Emirate, for this strategic intervention in the area of healthcare in our domain,” he said.
However, the royal father expressed concern over the shortage of doctors at the Gambo Sawaba General Hospital in Zaria, where only five doctors serve the city’s large population.
“In most cases, my people travel about 20 kilometers to access care at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Shika. There is no reason one should travel such a distance to access healthcare in the 21st century—it does not speak well of us,” he lamented.
