By Ado Salisu
No fewer than 2,000 patients in Gwarzo Local Government Area of Kano State have benefited from a medical outreach organised by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).
The outreach, which involved over 250 doctors, formed part of activities marking the 66th Annual General Conference and Delegates Meeting of the NMA, currently underway in Kano.
Held at Gwarzo General Hospital, the exercise attracted patients from within and outside the local government area, who received free medical consultations, drugs, surgeries, distribution of eyeglasses, among other services.
The NMA President, Dr. Bala Audu, represented by the 2nd Vice President, Dr. Usha Anenga, said the outreach was also organised in honour of late Dr. Stella Adadevoh, who sacrificed her life during the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Nigeria.
He explained that the association had lined up a series of programmes for the conference, themed: “Bridging Research, Policy and Practice: Strengthening Nigeria’s Health System for Resilience and Equity,” noting that it reflects current challenges in the health sector.
While appreciating the Kano State Government and other stakeholders for their support and commitment, he assured that the NMA leadership would do everything possible to ensure the success of the conference.
He added that the conference is expected to attract over 1,000 delegates and will feature discussions on healthcare delivery and reforms.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the NMA Kano State chapter, Dr. Abdulrahman Ali, described the outreach as a huge success. He commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his support and urged him to intensify efforts towards improving healthcare delivery across the state.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Medical Outreach Sub-Committee, Professor Muhammad Aminu Muhammad, and the Village Head of Gwarzo, Alhaji Muhammad Halliru Gwarzo, commended both the national body and the state chapter of the NMA for the initiative. They appealed to the state and local governments to sustain such programmes to enhance healthcare services in the area.
Some beneficiaries who spoke with journalists expressed appreciation to the NMA for the gesture.
The NMA conference, the association’s highest decision-making forum, is expected to shape policies and leadership direction for Nigeria’s medical community.