By Henry Ihimekpen
JALINGO — The All Progressives Congress has commenced a statewide medical and surgical outreach in Taraba State as part of activities marking the 58th birthday of its National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe.
The humanitarian initiative, organised under the party’s Renewed Hope agenda, is designed to provide free and subsidised healthcare to thousands of residents across the state’s three senatorial districts, with a focus on vulnerable and underserved communities.
The first phase began at about 12:00 noon on August 3 at the First Referral Hospital, Sunkani, in Ardo Kola Local Government Area of the Northern Senatorial District. It will run through August 7, 2026, offering five days of free medical services. The official flag-off ceremony is scheduled for August 8, 2026, at the Federal Medical Centre in Jalingo, the state capital.
Beneficiaries are receiving a comprehensive package that includes free medical consultations and health screening, provision of medicines and wound care, free and subsidised surgical procedures, emergency medical support, patient counselling, and health education aimed at promoting healthy living.
To ensure equitable access, healthcare teams have been deployed to designated facilities in all three senatorial districts. In the Southern Senatorial District, services are being provided at the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Wukari, and General Hospital, Takum. In the Central Senatorial District, treatment is available at General Hospital, Bali, and General Hospital, Gembu. In the Northern Senatorial District, centres include General Hospital, Bambur, in Karim Lamido Local Government Area, and the First Referral Hospital, Sunkani, in Ardo Kola.
“Healing Lives, Restoring Hope, Building Healthier Communities”
The outreach is being implemented in collaboration with the Taraba State Ministry of Health and the Libertad Health Foundation, a partnership aimed at improving healthcare delivery and reducing the financial burden of medical costs on citizens.
Party officials said the programme underscores the APC’s commitment to translating the Renewed Hope agenda into tangible social interventions that directly improve the lives of Nigerians. The campaign is running under the themes “Free Medical Services for All,” “Together We Celebrate Life and Service,” and “Renewed Hope, Better Health, Stronger Taraba.”
Organisers described the initiative as a demonstration of compassionate leadership and a commitment to improving the well-being of the people through preventive care, treatment, surgical interventions, and public health education. Residents across Taraba State are expected to benefit significantly from the week-long programme.
