_By Hassan Hussain_
No fewer than 27,529 residents of Benue State have benefited from a five-day free medical outreach organised by the North Central Grassroots Mobilisation Movement for Tinubu/Shettima 2027 to improve access to healthcare among vulnerable communities in the state.
The humanitarian initiative, facilitated by the National Coordinator of the movement, Architect Sunny Echono, commenced on Tuesday, October 27 and is expected to end on Saturday, October 31, 2026.
The exercise covered seven healthcare centres across the state, including General Hospitals in Makurdi, Gboko, Katsina-Ala, Vandeikya, Oju, Ugbokpo and the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Otukpo.
Beneficiaries received free medical consultations, diagnosis and treatment for various ailments, including malaria, respiratory infections and dental conditions, while special attention was given to maternal and child healthcare.
The programme also provided free surgical interventions for conditions such as hernia, appendicitis, haemorrhoids, cataracts and other surgical cases.
Speaking with journalists, the leader of the medical team, Professor Abba, disclosed that over 113 surgical operations had been successfully carried out across the designated centres.
Declaring the programme open at the General Hospital, North Bank, Makurdi, Architect Echono expressed satisfaction with the massive turnout of beneficiaries.
He explained that the initiative was designed to address critical healthcare needs at the grassroots, particularly among vulnerable residents who lack the financial capacity to access quality medical services.
Echono said the movement remained committed to mobilising grassroots support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and other candidates of the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Some beneficiaries commended the movement and its National Coordinator for bringing free medical services closer to their communities, describing the exercise as timely and beneficial.
