The Plateau State Government has announced that its free Mega Medical Outreach has attended to 17,603 patients across the three senatorial zones of the state, recording 724 surgical operations, including 390 cataract surgeries.
The Commissioner for Health, Plateau State, Dr. Nicholas Ba’amlong disclosed this during a press briefing on Saturday, November 7, 2026, on the successful conclusion of the general medical outreach, organised by Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang to improve access to quality and affordable healthcare.
According to the commissioner, the number of patients attended to exceeded the initial target of 6,000 by approximately 193 per cent, representing almost three times the projected figure.
The outreach, which was conducted across designated health facilities in the three senatorial zones, provided free medical services, including general consultations, laboratory investigations, eye care, dental services, specialist surgeries, health education and enrolment into the Plateau State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (PLASCHEMA).
Giving a breakdown of the achievements, the commissioner said the Central Senatorial Zone recorded 4,294 patients, while the Southern Zone attended to 5,625 patients. The Northern Zone recorded 7,684 patients.
He further disclosed that 5,033 eye consultations were conducted, with 3,588 pairs of eyeglasses distributed and 390 cataract surgeries performed across the zones.
The outreach also recorded 4,857 laboratory investigations, 1,334 dental consultations, 893 scaling and polishing procedures, 263 dental fillings, 867 extractions and 541 dentures provided to beneficiaries.
The commissioner added that 457 persons were enrolled into PLASCHEMA, while the 724 surgical operations comprised 151 major and 573 minor surgeries.
He noted that the major surgical procedures included myomectomies, hysterectomies, prostatectomies, thyroidectomies, caesarean sections and orthopaedic interventions, which would ordinarily impose significant financial burdens on patients and their families.
According to him, the outreach also recorded 26 Caesarean deliveries, with mothers delivering healthy babies during the exercise.
The commissioner, however, clarified that the conclusion of the general medical outreach does not mark the end of the intervention, as the government is moving into another phase involving specialised and high-tech surgical procedures.
He said the next phase, which will run for three weeks, will take place at Plateau State Specialist Hospital, Jos, Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and Potters Specialist Hospital, Jos.
The planned procedures include advanced orthopaedic surgeries, neurological and neurosurgical operations, specialised urological surgeries, as well as Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeries.
He said the extension would enable patients requiring complex specialist procedures to access treatment without the enormous financial burden usually associated with such medical services.
The commissioner commended Governor Mutfwang for supporting the initiative, describing it as a demonstration of his administration’s commitment to making quality and affordable healthcare accessible to residents across the state.
He also appreciated the management and staff of participating health facilities, medical personnel, local government chairmen, traditional and religious leaders, community stakeholders, security agencies and the media for their contributions to the success of the exercise.
The commissioner reaffirmed the Ministry of Health’s commitment to building on the achievements of the outreach as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery and advance Universal Health Coverage in Plateau State.
