By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, has flagged-off an Integrated Medical Outreach, in Karshi which targets vulnerable women and children in the FCT.
The flag off of the health care project is to be conducted across all the 62 political wards in the Territory, the Minister disclosed.
The flag off of the free medical outreach powered by Nigerians Unite for Tinubu/Shettima Mandate was targeted at the vulnerables in hard – to – reach communities across the Territory.
According to the Minister, the medical outreach has been one of the priorities of the FCT Administration to provide to the residents, particularly vulnerable women quality Primary Health Care (PHC) services including immunization and nutrition services.
Aliyu noted that the routine immunization coverage and PHC services uptake across the area councils has been sub-optimal, partly due to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic that has further weaken the health system.
She said, “Access to basic healthcare services has been poor due to the presence of hard to reach communities, couple with the rising cases of insecurity, and sub-optimal performance of the public health system.”
“In this line, the flag off of the medical outreach programme for the integration of PHC service delivery and Immunization in a mobile /outreach strategy would strengthen immunization and PHC service outputs through integration, particularly in the underserved, low performing wards of the FCT, she stated.
Through the health care Outreach, FCTA will provide essential interventions to community members, such as health education and promotion; treatment of common illnesses; vaccination of under-five children and pregnant women.
” Distribution of Long Lasting Treated Nets and family planning commodities; screening for non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, routine eye screening and screening for malnutrition; linkages/referral services; amongst others.”
Aliyu reiterated that the Adminstration’s commitment to support all programmes and activities aimed at improving the quality of lives and health outcomes of women, children and all residents of the Territory..
She enjoined the royal fathers, religious and traditional leaders, stakeholders and other well-meaning Nigerians in the FCT, to continue to support the Administration to provide better services.
Acting Executive Secretary of FCT Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Isah Yahaya Vatsa, commended the group, Nigerians Unite for Tinubu/Shettima Mandate, for partnering with the Administration to provide quality healthcare services to the vulnerables in rural communities.
He revealed that the Free Medical Outreach will cover immunization, consultation by medical personnel in three points, and laboratory screening for diabetes and malaria.
Other services include pharmaceutical services (drugs), eye screening with free glasses for those that need them, blood pressure screening, weight and temperature check, he hinted.
