Plateau Government to Offer Free Medical Services to 6,000 Residents in Mega Outreach

Plateau Government to Offer Free Medical Services to 6,000 Residents in Mega Outreach

The Plateau State Government has announced plans to provide free comprehensive medical services to at least 6,000 residents across the state’s three senatorial zones through a two-week mega medical outreach scheduled to begin on Monday, October 19, 2026.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Ba’amlong, disclosed this during a press briefing in Jos, explaining that the initiative was organised in collaboration with ICZ Germany Medical Specialists to improve access to quality healthcare and ease the financial burden of medical treatment on residents.

Ba’amlong said the programme targets 2,000 beneficiaries in each senatorial zone, adding that the number could increase depending on public turnout and the availability of services within the designated period.

He noted that the initiative reflects the commitment of Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s administration to ensuring that residents, regardless of their financial circumstances or location, have access to essential and specialised medical care.

According to the commissioner, the outreach will provide a broad range of services, including medical consultations, diagnosis, treatment, surgical procedures, specialist consultations, laboratory investigations, health education and referrals for further management.

The services will cover general medicine, general surgery, neurosurgery, orthopaedics, obstetrics and gynaecology, ear, nose and throat (ENT) care, eye care, dental treatment and diagnostic investigations. Cervical cancer screening through Pap smear tests and other specialist interventions will also be available based on identified medical needs.

Ba’amlong announced that the outreach in the Central and Southern Senatorial Zones would run simultaneously from October 19 to October 30, 2026. Residents of the Southern Zone will receive services at General Hospital, Shendam, while those in the Central Zone will be attended to at General Hospital, Mangu.

For the Northern Senatorial Zone, the exercise will run from October 26 to November 6, 2026, at Plateau State Specialist Hospital, Jos, and Trauma Hospital, Riyom.

The commissioner explained that patients requiring advanced specialist care at Mangu, Shendam and Riyom would be assessed and referred to Plateau State Specialist Hospital, Jos, for further treatment where necessary.

He stressed that the referral arrangement was designed to ensure that patients requiring complex neurosurgical, orthopaedic, general surgical and other specialised procedures receive appropriate follow-up care beyond the immediate capacity of the outreach teams.

The commissioner urged residents to take advantage of the initiative, particularly those who have been unable to afford medical consultations, investigations, specialist treatment or surgery. He encouraged people experiencing persistent symptoms or other health concerns to seek medical attention promptly.

He also called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders, elected representatives, local government chairmen, councillors, women and youth organisations, and the media to help publicise the programme and ensure that residents in both urban and rural communities benefit.

Ba’amlong expressed appreciation to Governor Mutfwang for supporting the initiative and acknowledged the contributions of ICZ Germany and the German medical specialists to healthcare delivery in the state.

He also commended the Ministry of Health, participating hospitals, medical and nursing professionals, laboratory scientists, pharmacists, dentists, optometrists, support staff and volunteers for their roles in the exercise. He further acknowledged the anticipated support of local government councils, traditional institutions, security agencies, development partners and the media.

The commissioner reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to making healthcare more accessible, affordable and responsive to the needs of residents, urging the public to share information about the outreach and encourage eligible beneficiaries to participate.

In his closing remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Plateau State Ministry of Health, Mr Samuel Aliyu Tsoho, commended the state government and ICZ Germany Medical Specialists for providing residents with an opportunity to access quality healthcare services free of charge.

He urged residents to make full use of the programme by seeking the medical attention and treatment they need.

Plateau Government to Offer Free Medical Services to 6,000 Residents in Mega Outreach