Residents Laud Senator Iya Abbas over Free Medical Outreach

Cross section of beneficiaries at the ongoing free medical outreach organised by the Senator representing Adamawa Central Senatorial District, Aminu Iya Abbas, have applauded the Senator for sponsoring the medical outreach.

No fewer than 15,000 patients across Adamawa Central Senatorial Zone are expected to benefit from the ongoing Phase II Free Medical Outreach sponsored by Senator Aminu Iya Abbas, in partnership with the Iya Abbas Foundation and the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency.

While speaking to newsmen during an inspection of facilities at the Specialist Hospital, Yola, Senator said the outreach was designed to ensure inclusive healthcare delivery, particularly for residents at the grassroots who cannot afford specialised medical treatment.

Senator Abbas explained that although clinics exist across the state’s 226 wards, many lack doctors and specialists, making access to surgeries and advanced care difficult for rural communities.

He noted that the intervention was aimed at bridging that gap by bringing secondary and tertiary healthcare services directly to the people.

The Senator disclosed that the programme is providing free surgeries, consultations, and medications at no cost to patients, using constituency intervention funds allocated to legislators nationwide.

He added that a similar exercise was carried out last year but did not cover the entire constituency, prompting an expansion this year to ensure wider coverage.

According to him, the outreach will be extended to Song, Malabu, Hong, and other parts of the central zone to reach more communities.

In addition to the free medical services, Senator Abbas also provided financial support to patients who underwent surgical procedures, to assist with post-surgery needs and recovery.

On the medical side, the Chief Medical Director of the Specialist Hospital, Yola, Dr. Wadinga Dauda, said the hospital had deployed its modern facilities to support the programme, commending the Adamawa State Government for providing an enabling environment for quality healthcare delivery.

Dr. Dauda confirmed that services currently being provided include outpatient care, general surgery, eye care, and dental services, with activities ongoing at the Specialist Hospital and the ophthalmic centre.

He identified malaria, typhoid, sepsis, and chronic wounds as the most common infectious diseases being treated, while hernia, hydrocele, fibroids, and lipoma account for the majority of surgical cases.

According to him, hernia cases are particularly prevalent among rural residents due to strenuous agricultural activities.

The CMD disclosed that about 200 surgeries have already been carried out in Yola North and Yola South, adding that the outreach will continue in Yola until Wednesday before moving to other local government areas across the central zone.

Some beneficiaries, speaking in interviews, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Senator Abbas for the gesture, describing it as timely and highly beneficial.