Plateau Targets 6,000 Residents With Free Medical Outreach

The Plateau State Government has announced a two-week free medical outreach targeting 6,000 residents across the state’s three senatorial zones. 

Services on offer include specialist consultations, diagnostic tests, surgeries, and cancer screening.

The outreach, organised by the Plateau State Government in collaboration with ICZ Germany Medical Specialists, will begin on Monday, October 19, 2026, in the central and southern senatorial zones, while the northern zone will join the programme on October 26.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Health, Plateau State, Nicholas Baamlong, said the initiative was designed to improve access to quality healthcare, particularly for residents who cannot afford essential medical services.

Under the arrangement, residents of the southern zone will receive services at the General Hospital, Shendam, while those in the central zone will access the programme at the General Hospital, Mangu.

In the Northern Zone, the outreach will be held at the Plateau State Specialist Hospital, Jos, and the Trauma Hospital, Riyom.

The commissioner said the intervention would go beyond routine medical screening to provide comprehensive healthcare services, including general medical consultations and treatment, general surgery, neurosurgical assessments, orthopaedic care, obstetrics and gynaecology, ear, nose and throat services, eye care, dental treatment and laboratory investigations.

Other services include cervical cancer screening through Pap smear tests, provision of glasses where appropriate, health education, specialist consultations and referrals for further treatment.

The commissioner explained that patients requiring advanced specialist intervention would be referred to the Plateau State Specialist Hospital, Jos, to ensure continuity of care beyond the initial consultations at the outreach centres.

According to the schedule, the outreach in Shendam and Mangu will run from October 19 to October 30, while activities in Jos and Riyom will take place from October 26 to November 6.

The commissioner urged residents experiencing persistent health challenges, as well as those requiring surgery, specialist attention, eye and dental care or diagnostic investigations, to take advantage of the opportunity rather than delay seeking medical attention.

Traditional rulers, religious leaders, community organisations, local government officials, women and youth groups, and the media were also called upon to help publicise the programme, particularly in rural communities where access to specialist healthcare may be limited.

The commissioner commended Governor Caleb Mutfwang for the initiative and acknowledged the contribution of ICZ Germany Medical Specialists, health professionals, participating hospitals and other stakeholders supporting the intervention.

The state government expressed hope that the outreach would bring essential medical services closer to residents and strengthen efforts to make healthcare more accessible and affordable across Plateau State.