The Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) on Saturday began a four-day free medical outreach targeting more than 10,000 beneficiaries in Niger.
The commission’s managing director, Abubakar Yelwa announced this in an interview with newsmen shortly after the official flag-off of the programme in Makunkele of Bosso local government area of the state.
According to him, services to be offered include eye screening and surgical services which would be carried out on quarterly basis to improve the wellbeing of rural dwellers.
Yelwa noted that the healthcare services were ongoing simultaneously in 60 other locations in the six HYPPADEC states aimed at alleviating the plight of communities who find it difficult to access healthcare.
“We realised that these people do not have access to doctors and specialist that care for various diseases due to the difficult terrain they live.
“This prompt us to mobilise specialists, consultants and professionals in different fields to come to their door steps.
“They will be attended to individually to see how their health problems will be addressed, free drugs will be given to them and those in need of surgical services will also be attended to,” he said.
He called on the people to take the advantage of the medical outreach to access medical services, saying that patients with cases beyond the experts would be referred to secondary facility for proper treatment.
In his remark, the Emir of Minna, Umaru Bahago appreciated the commission for the gesture and advised them to sustain the programme.
One of the beneficiaries, Sadiu Mohammed appreciated the commission for the free medical services, observing that it would help to address health challenges among members of the benefitting communities.