BATMEDICS, a medical and humanitarian support group affiliated with President Bola Tinubu's support network, has provided free medical services to approximately 10,000 residents across seven locations in Kaduna State. The outreach, conducted under the supervision of the Minister of Health and in collaboration with the Medical Directorate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Committee, aimed to bring essential healthcare services closer to residents who struggle to afford hospital bills and other medical expenses.
According to a statement issued by Petra Akinti Onyegbule, the Director, Medical, Research and Communication BATMEDICS, the initiative focused on preventive healthcare, early detection of medical conditions, and timely treatment. The goal was to reduce the burden of healthcare costs on low-income households. Out of the 10,000 beneficiaries reached, about 3,000 received eye screening, while 212 underwent surgical procedures.
BATMEDICS Director-General, Dr Ojeje Onimisi, emphasized that the outreach reflected the organisation's commitment to ensuring that medical interventions went beyond diagnosis to include treatment and other essential healthcare services. He stressed that the impact of medical outreach programmes should be measured not only by the number of people reached but also by the tangible improvements they bring to beneficiaries' lives.
Onimisi highlighted that medical outreach is not just about the number of people reached; it is about making a meaningful difference in people's lives. By taking these services to seven locations in Kaduna, BATMEDICS has helped bring essential healthcare closer to thousands of people who need it. He reaffirmed BATMEDICS' commitment to supporting programmes that expand access to healthcare and promote the wellbeing of Nigerians.
Some beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the intervention, describing the free services as timely relief amid the rising cost of medical care. Amina Musa, a beneficiary, said the eye screening provided an opportunity to assess her eyesight without the immediate financial burden associated with accessing such services in a hospital.
Other beneficiaries, including Ibrahim Sani and Fatima Abdullahi, commended BATMEDICS for bringing healthcare professionals closer to the people and urged the organisation to sustain the initiative and extend it to more communities. They emphasized the importance of taking healthcare services directly to communities, especially for residents facing financial and logistical challenges in accessing hospitals.
The medical outreach programme demonstrated the impact of collaborative efforts in expanding access to healthcare services. The programme's success has highlighted the need for continued initiatives that bring essential healthcare services to communities, particularly those with limited access to medical care.
Key points
- BATMEDICS provided free medical services to 10,000 residents in Kaduna State.
- The outreach included 212 surgical procedures and eye screening for 3,000 beneficiaries.
- The initiative aimed to reduce the burden of healthcare costs on low-income households.
