The Plateau Government says it recorded 724 surgical operations—151 major and 573 minor—during a two-week free 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 exercise’s achievements.
He said no deaths were recorded during the outreach, which benefited 17,603 patients—exceeding the initial target of 6,000.
Ba’amlong said the 151 major surgeries included 26 caesarean deliveries, as well as myomectomies, hysterectomies, prostatectomies, thyroidectomies and orthopaedic procedures.
The outreach also recorded 5,033 eye consultations. A total of 3,588 pairs of eyeglasses were distributed, and 390 cataract surgeries were performed.
The commissioner added that 4,857 laboratory investigations were conducted and 1,334 dental consultations recorded.
Other dental services included 893 scaling and polishing procedures, 263 fillings, 867 extractions, 541 dentures and two gum treatments, he said.
He said 457 elderly people were also enrolled in the Plateau State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (PLASCHEMA) during the exercise.
The Central Senatorial Zone recorded 4,294 patients, while the Southern and Northern zones attended to 5,625 and 7,684 patients, respectively, Ba’amlong said.
Organised by Gov. Caleb Mutfwang, the outreach provided general medical consultations, laboratory investigations, eye consultations and surgeries, dental services, specialist surgical interventions, health education and PLASCHEMA enrolment.
Ba’amlong described the results as evidence of the state government’s commitment to improving access to quality, affordable healthcare, regardless of residents’ social and economic circumstances.
He said the end of the general medical outreach would not mark the end of the intervention. The programme will continue for another three weeks, with specialised and high-tech surgical procedures at Plateau State Specialist Hospital, Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and Potters Specialist Hospital, all in Jos.
The planned procedures include advanced orthopaedic surgeries, neurological and neurosurgical operations, specialised urological surgeries, and ear, nose and throat (ENT) procedures, he said.
Ba’amlong explained that the specialised phase was designed to give patients needing complex surgery access to treatment without the substantial financial burden usually associated with such procedures.
He said the extension reflected the government’s determination to ensure the outreach’s benefits went beyond routine consultations and basic medical interventions.
The commissioner commended Mutfwang for initiating and supporting the programme, describing it as a practical demonstration of his administration’s commitment to residents’ health and welfare.
He also acknowledged the contributions of management and staff at participating health facilities, as well as doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, dentists, optometrists, surgeons, volunteers and other healthcare professionals.
Ba’amlong thanked local government chairmen, traditional and community leaders, religious leaders, security agencies and the media for their support and cooperation.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to building on the outreach’s achievements and contributing to the broader goal of universal health coverage in the state.
The outreach began on October 19 and ended on November 6. It was conducted across Plateau’s three senatorial zones, with seven designated health facilities participating.
