FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, on Sunday in Abuja inaugurated the Integrated Medical Outreach, in Karshi which will cover all the 62 political wards in the region.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the free medical outreach supported by the Nigerians Unite for Tinubu / Shettima Mandate is targeted at vulnerable people in hard-to-reach communities.
The Minister stated that the gesture is to provide poor citizens, especially women and children, with quality Primary Health Care (PHC) services, including immunization and nutrition.
Aliyu said routine immunization coverage and PHC services across the area councils have been sub-optimal, partly due to the increasing challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic that is wreaking havoc on the health system.
He said: “Access to basic health services is low due to the existence of hard-to-reach communities, coupled with unsafe cases and sub-optimal performance of the public health system.
” In this line, the inauguration of medical outreach for the integration of PHC and Immunization service delivery in the mobile / outreach strategy is very important.
“It is expected to, among other things, strengthen the output of immunization and PHC services through integration, especially in under-served and under-performing wards of FCT.”
However, he stressed that medical outreach would be a way for FCTA to provide the most needed interventions to community members.
Aliyu further said that it includes health education and promotion of treatment of common diseases; vaccination for young children and pregnant women.
He also said the outreach would facilitate the distribution of treated nets and family planning commodities and screening for non-communicable diseases.
They include; hypertension, diabetes, routine eye screening and screening for malnutrition; as well as linkages/referral services; among others.
Aliyu assured that the FCT Administration will continue to support all programs and activities aimed at improving the quality of life and health outcomes of all residents of the Region especially women and children.
He said, “Relevant Secretariats, Departments and Agencies have been repositioned and given the necessary support to carry out better results.
“Working with Development Partners, access will be sustained for underserved communities with optimal uptake and utilization of services through community management system activities for PHCs in the FCT.”
The minister appealed to religious and traditional leaders, stakeholders and other Nigerians in the FCT to continue to support the Administration to provide better services.
In his remarks, the acting Executive Secretary, FCT PHC Council, Dr Isah Vatsa, commended the group for its partnership with the Administration in providing quality health services.
He said the outreach would cover immunization, consultation with medical personnel at three points, and laboratory tests for diabetes and malaria.
Other services include; Provision of free medicine, eye screening with free glasses for those who need it, blood pressure check, weight and temperature check.