Hundreds of residents in Deba, Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area of Gombe State, have received free medical care during a two-day medical and surgical outreach organized by the North East Development Commission (NEDC) in partnership with the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) from the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe.
The outreach, which took place at the Emir’s Palace in Deba and the General Hospital Deba, provided residents with free consultations, medications, minor surgical procedures, and referrals for major medical cases to the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe — all at no cost to patients.
Representing the NEDC Managing Director, Mohammed Goni Alkali, the Acting Gombe State Coordinator, Arch. Usman Mohammed, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to improving healthcare access in underserved communities. He noted that the outreach aligns with the NEDC’s broader human development and health intervention agenda aimed at supporting vulnerable populations across the North-East region.
President of ARD, Dr. Ibrahim Salisu, highlighted the significance of the initiative, noting that it would ease the financial burden of healthcare on low-income families. He stressed the importance of continued collaborations to deliver essential medical services to remote and rural areas.
Speaking during the event, the Chief Medical Director of Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, represented by Dr. Bukar Yakubu, lauded the outreach and called on well-meaning individuals and organizations to support grassroots healthcare initiatives.
Gombe State Commissioner for Health and Human Welfare Services, Dr. Habu Dahiru, who officially flagged off the program, described the intervention as timely and life-saving. He urged community members to take advantage of the services and encouraged the organizers to extend similar medical programs to other rural communities within the state.
The Emir of Deba, QS Ahmed Usman, commended the NEDC and ARD for bringing critical health services closer to his people, pledging the community’s full support for future health programs.
Several beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the organizers, sharing personal stories of relief and hope. Many appealed for the outreach to be made a continuous effort and expanded to cover other hard-to-reach areas within Gombe State.
This health outreach is part of ongoing efforts by the NEDC and healthcare partners to improve access to quality medical services in rural Nigeria, particularly within the conflict-affected North-East region.
