MDGs Screens, Treats Over 1000 Patients of Different Ailments in Plateau

Agabus Pwanagba, Jos

In its efforts to bring healthcare services to the rural poor, the Project Support Unit of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Plateau State has screened and treated over 1000 rural dwellers of different ailments during its free medical outreach.

Project Coordinator of the MDGs in the State, Peter Gai, said during the exercise in Myachi, Kanke Local Government of the State on Friday, that the exercise was meant to bring healthcare service to rural poor who cannot afford it.

Gai said that the free medical outreach was carried out concurrently with the commissioning of Primary Health Centres (PHCs) constructed by the MDGs in rural communities across the state.

“Last week over 500 persons were screened and treated of different ailments in Bassa Local Government which was meant for people in Plateau North Senatorial District.

“Today over 500 people would screened and treated here in Myachi PHC for the people in Plateau Central District and by next week will be going to Shendam for people in the zone,’’ he explained.

The Coordinator explained that the exercise was carried out in conjunction with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Jos branch.

“We have assorted drugs to be administered for different ailments and we are also using the occasion to distribute mosquito nets to women to check malaria which has been identified as deadly sickness,’’ he stated.

In his remarks, John Gotau, Chairman, Kanke Local Government, commended the MDGs for bringing healthcare to the rural people in the local government.

Gotau said since health is wealth, the MDGs gesture would go a long way in boosting the economic wellbeing of the people of the communities.

Dr. Osagie Ize, leader of the medical team, said that the team had mobile medical laboratories to conduct series of diagnosis on the patients before administering the drugs.