Over 4,500 sick people access free medical care in Plateau South

Over 4,500 sick people access free medical care in Plateau South

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LANTANG NORTH (Water Resources Ministry Report) - The 4th edition of the ‘Support Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ) Free Medical Outreach sponsored by the Minister of Water Resources, Sarah Reng Ochekpe has ended in Zamko, Langtang North Local Government Area of Plateau State with over 4,500 sick people from six Local Government Areas in Plateau State accessing free medical care.

The report from the Publicity Department of the Ministry released on Tuesday November 25, 2014 indicated that at the end of the five- day free medical care held in the Zamko Comprehensive Health Centre, available records have disclosed that over 4,560 people with various health challenges were attended to and treated. It also noted that out of these numbers, 126 people had eye surgeries, 348 reading glasses were given out and over 4,000 treated mosquito nets were distributed to nursing mothers and children.

The Publicity Department reported that a total of 118 major and minor surgeries were carried out successfully, including: hernia, fibroid and appendicitis as well as 3,833 HTC counseling were conducted. About 33 snake bite patients were rushed to the centre and administered with anti-snake venom-EchiTAbG 10ml,” the report noted.

According to the Nurses on duty, one of such anti-snake venoms cost between N20, 000 to N25, 000 and one or two doses were given depending on the level of complication. They also informed that a sixty years old woman, Hanatu Dashe and eleven years old girl, Satya Ventnom both victims of snake bite expressed appreciation to the Minister for making it possible for them to get urgent treatment which would have been impossible for them as the treatment costs about N90,000 per patient.

Commenting on the entire exercise, the General Administrator of the Outreach, Sonnie Reng (Pastor) disclosed that over 4,500 people were treated during the five days’ Free Medical Outreach in Langtang North. Adding, the figure kept increasing day by day. He called on the Minister not to relent in doing more for the people. “Though when you reach out to people in this manner, you hardly get their appreciation back because most of them don’t know you in person, but their shout of glory announces your name in heaven”, he said.
In his remarks at the occasion, the Lead Consultant to the Outreach, Talemoh Wycliffe Dah (Dr), who is also the Director of the Soteria-Afrique Rural Health Initiative, one of the collaborating organizations in the Outreach informed that minor surgeries cost between N30, 000.00 to N40, 000.00 and major ones cost between N60, 000.00 to N70, 000.00 in rural areas like Langtang and could cost much more in the city.

Talemoh Wycliffe Dah thanked the Minister for bringing succor to the teeming population of the area, observing that ordinarily they were unable to afford the services due to financial constraints. He commended the zeal and patience of the medical team - doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists, attendants, pharmacists, other auxiliary workers and volunteers, who willingly worked for the five days.   According to him, all the workers mentioned offered services free - of – charge since they were volunteers moved with passion for the plight of the ordinary people as well as their desire to see the project a success.

The Minister espoused gratitude to God for the successful completion of the 4th Edition of the Outreach to the South Senatorial District of Plateau State.  She said that she was deeply touched by the commitment and passion of the volunteers led by Talemoh Wycliffe (Dr) of Soteria Afrique and prayed God to bless them richly as well as grant quick recovery to all those treated.