The North-East Development Commission (NEDC), in collaboration with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Borno State Branch, has rendered free medical and surgical services to at least 1,000 residents in the Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State.
Speaking during the flagging-off event at the Kaleric community in Mafa LGA of the state, Muhammad Aminu Guluze, the Head of Service, Borno State, said the initiative is aimed at improving the well-being of underserved populations.
He emphasised the zero-tolerance policy of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum towards substandard healthcare, as evidenced by the state-of-the-art facilities at the Primary Healthcare Centre hosting the outreach.
Guluze further emphasised the administration’s focus on strengthening healthcare delivery across the state.
Representing the Managing Director/CEO of NEDC, Mohammed Goni Alkali, the Borno State Coordinator, Engr. Mohammed Umaru Watsada expressed satisfaction with the planning and smooth commencement of the outreach.
He reiterated that healthcare remains a critical component of NEDC’s human development agenda. “The Commission is committed to strategic interventions like this outreach, which aim to bridge healthcare gaps and uplift the standard of living among the people of the North-East,” Engr. Watsada stated.
Similarly, the Village Head of Kaleri and the Director of Primary Healthcare, Mafa LGA, expressed heartfelt appreciation to NEDC, NMA Borno, and other stakeholders for bringing the largest healthcare intervention the community has ever witnessed. They described the outreach as a life-changing moment for the people of Kaleri, many of whom had limited access to quality medical care.
Speaking, the Chairman of NMA Borno State, Dr. El-Yakub Yakubu Mohammed, thanked NEDC for championing and sponsoring the outreach, while also appreciating other sponsors and contributors for their support.
He explained that the outreach was named after the late Prof. Sunday Bwala to honour and immortalise the “teacher of teachers,” whose contributions to medicine and humanity left an indelible mark.
El-Yakub emphasised the importance of sustaining such outreach programs to ensure lasting impact even beyond his tenure.
“The comprehensive outreach impacted over 1,000 residents and featured a wide range of services, including: Free medical consultations and treatments; Surgical interventions for cases such as goitre, hernia, hydrocoele, and cataract.
“Dental procedures, including scaling and polishing, dental consultations. Health talks focused on preventing common diseases
Distribution of over 100 safe delivery kits (Mama Kits) to pregnant women.Free health screenings for Hepatitis, Diabetes, Hypertension, Obesity, and HIV, and Ultrasound services for deserving patients.”He emphasised.
In his remarks, the State Secretary NMA Dr Abubakar Kaka Sanda appreciated NEDC and all the partners for supporting NMA in its efforts towards cooperate social responsibility and improving health equity.
He said the outreach was supported by BOSCHMA, Borno State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (BSPHCDA), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Hospital Management Board (HMB), University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), and the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital (FNPH).
Beneficiaries expressed deep gratitude to NEDC and NMA Borno for the life-saving initiative. They called on other organisations and philanthropists to emulate the gesture by supporting similar community-based healthcare interventions across rural areas of the North-East.
