The All Progressives Congress (APC) has launched a statewide free medical and surgical outreach across Taraba State to commemorate the 58th birthday of its National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, with thousands of residents expected to benefit from the humanitarian programme.
The outreach, organised under the party's Renewed Hope agenda, is aimed at expanding access to quality healthcare services for vulnerable and underserved communities across the state's three senatorial districts through free consultations, treatment, surgeries and health education.
The first phase of the programme began at about 12 noon on Monday, August 3, at the First Referral Hospital, Sunkani, in Ardo Kola Local Government Area of Taraba North Senatorial District. The medical exercise will run until August 7, while the official flag-off ceremony is scheduled for August 8 at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo.
According to the organisers, the outreach is expected to deliver a wide range of healthcare services, including free medical consultations, general health screening, distribution of medicines, wound care, emergency medical support, patient counselling, health education and free as well as subsidised surgical procedures.
To ensure residents across the state benefit from the programme, medical teams have been deployed to selected hospitals in the three senatorial districts.
In the Southern Senatorial District, healthcare services are being provided at the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Wukari, and General Hospital, Takum. Beneficiaries in the Central Senatorial District are receiving treatment at General Hospital, Bali, and General Hospital, Gembu.
For residents of the Northern Senatorial District, designated centres include General Hospital, Bambur, in Karim Lamido Local Government Area, and the First Referral Hospital, Sunkani, Ardo Kola Local Government Area.
The initiative is being implemented in partnership with the Taraba State Ministry of Health and the Libertad Health Foundation as part of efforts to improve healthcare delivery and reduce the financial burden of accessing medical services.
Organisers said the outreach reflects the APC's commitment to translating the Renewed Hope agenda into practical social interventions that directly improve the lives of Nigerians through accessible and affordable healthcare.
The campaign is being driven under the theme, "Healing Lives, Restoring Hope, Building Healthier Communities," with accompanying messages including "Free Medical Services for All," "Together We Celebrate Life and Service," and "Renewed Hope, Better Health, Stronger Taraba."
Residents across Taraba State are expected to benefit from preventive healthcare services, medical treatment, surgical interventions and public health education throughout the five-day exercise.
The medical outreach forms part of activities marking Professor Yilwatda's 58th birthday, with organisers describing the initiative as a demonstration of compassionate leadership and a commitment to improving the health and well-being of the people through quality healthcare services.