By Joyce Remi- Babayeju
The FCT Minister of State. Dr. Mariyam Mahmoud in the spirit of Renewed over 1,500 residents of Bunkure Local Government Area in Kano State free benefited from a free dental medical outreach,
bringing relief and restored smiles to a community long burdened by untreated oral health challenges.
Speaking during the outreach at the Bunkure Primary Health Care Centre, Dr. Mahmoud described the initiative as an extension of a broader empowerment programme that coveres all 44 local government areas and 484 wards in Kano State.
“I am super elated… I cannot even close my mouth,” she said with a smile. “As you can see, so many people gathered here today. Some had dentures fixed, some had extractions, others did scaling and polishing. Many of them didn’t even know they needed to clean their teeth twice a year. Some cannot afford artificial dentures. That is why we brought this initiative in partnership with
the Global Smile Initiative (GSI) here.”
She explained that beyond treatment, beneficiaries also received dental kits, including toothbrushes and toothpaste, alongside oral health education.
“If you cannot brush three times a day, at least do it in the morning and before bed especially at night.”
“And if you have any problem that needs medical attention, rush to the hospital. We have active primary healthcare services here in Bunkure”, she advised.
While noting that medical outreaches are typically periodic, she expressed hope that similar interventions could be repeated and expanded. “It could be ophthalmic next time, for those with eye problems. It could address malnutrition in children or provide free antenatal care for pregnant women. We can go one by one. It is very doable if we have the opportunity,” she said, describing the programme as part of the “dividend of democracy” under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership.
For beneficiaries like 40-year-old Zulai Adamu, the outreach was life-changing.
“For 10 years I couldn’t smile or laugh because I was afraid people would laugh at me,” she said, fighting back tears.
“I used to go to the hospital, but I couldn’t afford the treatment. Today, the Minister has restored my smile. Now I can laugh when and where necessary.”
Medical partners at the event also highlighted the scale and impact of the intervention. The Programme Coordinator of the Global Smile Initiative (GSI), Dr. Olusegun Alalade, said the turnout was overwhelming, with more than 500 people present at the venue.
“As at the time you met us, we have attended to close to 200 beneficiaries,” he noted. “The cases are varied dentures, fillings, extractions, medications and general consultations. Scaling and polishing alone costs between N2,500 and N5,000 in government hospitals. If you multiply that by over 1500 people, you can imagine the financial relief this programme has provided.”
For many in Bunkure, the outreach was not just about dental procedures but about dignity restored.
In the laughter of a woman who hid her smile for a decade and in the gratitude of residents who could not afford care, the impact of the initiative was written plainly in renewed confidence and hope.
End
