The FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has inaugurated the “Renewed Hope Medical Mission” on Friday in the Bwari area council, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to providing qualitative healthcare services to residents.

She said that the aim of the medical mission was to provide comprehensive healthcare services to underserved communities in the FCT.

The minister added that the enlarged programme also sought to address the critical health challenges faced by vulnerable populations, particularly in areas with high maternal and child morbidity and mortality rates.

She noted that Nigeria was one of the countries with high maternal death, child morbidity and mortality.

She said that the situation resulted from poor ante-natal care attendance, low uptake of immunisation and family planning services.

Ms Mahmoud said that rapid population expansion leading to increased demand for health services had posed serious health challenges to the FCT administration hence the need to take seriously the medical needs of the people.

She stressed the FCT administration’s commitment to improving the primary healthcare system, by renovation, upgrading and building of more health centres across the six area councils.

The minister said that the administration was also committed to employing more healthcare workers.

She used the occasion to speak on the danger signs in pregnancy, importance of ANC attendance, exclusive breastfeeding, and importance of immunisation in preventing childhood diseases.

Mr Mahmoud listed some of the diseases that could be prevented as polio, TB, pneumonia, pertussis, diphtheria, measles, and importance of screening for HIV, diabetes, hypertension, and others.

Also speaking, the Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, said that despite recent improvements in access to quality healthcare for residents of the FCT, many communities remained underserved.

She said that the FCT administration recognised the need for a comprehensive approach to healthcare, that addresses the root causes of healthcare challenges and provides sustainable solutions.

Mr Fasawe said that the Renewed Hope Medical Mission had several objectives.

He stated, “They include providing comprehensive healthcare services, raising awareness about the importance of healthcare, investing in healthcare infrastructure, and reducing maternal and child mortality rates. The Renewed Hope Medical Mission is a multi-faceted programme that employs a range of strategies to achieve its objectives. These include mobile health clinics, a health insurance scheme, infrastructure development, and health education.

“It has several benefits, including improved access to healthcare services, reduced maternal and child mortality rates, increased health awareness, and investment in healthcare infrastructure.’’

He said that the programme was a comprehensive approach to healthcare, addressing the critical health challenges faced by underserved communities in Abuja.

“By providing comprehensive healthcare services, investing in healthcare infrastructure, and promoting health awareness, the programme contributes to reducing maternal and child mortality rates. It also improves access to quality healthcare services. Free medical missions are global best practices used to provide targeted medical and surgical care to meet the health needs of the underserved and vulnerable populations. As the programme continues to expand, it is clear that the Renewed Hope Medical Mission will remain a beacon of hope for underserved communities in Abuja,” Mr Fasawe said.

More than 3000 residents of the Bwari community were provided with free healthcare services in different areas such as sickle cell screening and blood tests.

Others are antenatal, general medical checkup, dental care, minor surgeries, nutrition and food, free HIV screening/counselling and others