By: Jamil Abubakar
Residents of Deba in Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area of Gombe State have benefitted from a free two-day medical and surgical outreach organized by the North East Development Commission (NEDC) in collaboration with the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe.
The outreach, launched at the Emir’s Palace in Deba, provided free consultations, medications, minor surgeries at the General Hospital Deba, and referrals for major cases to the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe all at no cost to patients.
Representing the NEDC Managing Director, Mohammed Goni Alkali, the Ag. Gombe State Coordinator, Arch. Usman Mohammed, emphasized the Commission’s commitment to improving healthcare access for underserved communities as part of its human development agenda.
President of ARD, Dr. Ibrahim Salisu, said the outreach would ease the burden of healthcare costs on low-income families, while the Chief Medical Director of FTH Gombe, represented by Dr. Bukar Yakubu, called for more support from philanthropists to expand grassroots healthcare.
Gombe State Commissioner for Health and Welfare Services, Dr. Habu Dahiru, who officially declared the outreach open, described the intervention as timely and life-saving, urging residents to take full advantage of the initiative.
The Emir of Deba, QS Ahmed Usman, expressed appreciation for the program and pledged the community’s support.
Some beneficiaries thanked the organizers and appealed for the continuation of similar efforts in other rural areas.
