News Investigators/ The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has begun a one-week free medical treatment of 3, 000 persons displaced by insurgency in Borno State.
NEDC Managing Director, Mohammed Alkali said at the inauguration in Umaru Shehu Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri, that the exercise would be conducted under its Medical Outreach Scheme.
According to Mr. Alkali, the scheme is designed to enhance healthcare service delivery and improve the well-being of persons affected by conflict in the state.
He said that the exercise would be conducted in collaboration with Borno State Government, Pro-Health International Africa (PHIA) and West African College of Surgeons (WACS).
The director bemoaned the death of health facilities ravaged by 10-years of insurgency which prevented people from accessing quality services.
“The situation is overwhelming; we are working to mitigate the gaps in the demand for healthcare services in the State.”
According to him, the commission is working to rehabilitate facilities destroyed by insurgents to achieve enhanced access to healthcare services.
Executive Director of PHIA, Iko Ibanga said a total of 1,197 patients had so far been examined for diagnosis, consultancy, dental, eye and general surgeries in the exercise.
Mr. Ibanga explained that about 76 surgeries, such as hernia and appendicitis, were conducted.
“We also recorded 592 pharmacy patients, 795 consulting services, 48 eye surgeries and 73 patients examined and recommended for eye glasses.
“Others include: 81 dental patients, 199 eye care, 12 referrals and 288 laboratory tests were done successfully.”
Mr. Ibanga identified overwhelming number of people at the centre and presentation of patients with multiple eye surgeries as some of the challenges facing the exercise.
He, however, commended the State government for deploying health personnel, providing vehicles and logistics to facilitate smooth conduct of the exercise.
