The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has inaugurated a 14-day comprehensive medical outreach across four hospitals in the Plateau North Senatorial District of Plateau State, with 25 foreign medical experts from the United States and Canada participating.
The programme, which commenced at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), will also be held concurrently at Christian Hospital Vom and Sunnah Hospital, Angwan Rogo, among others. The initiative aims to provide free medical services to residents across the district and beyond, focusing on the poor and medically underserved.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Professor Yilwatda explained that the outreach was designed to align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s healthcare reform agenda by offering direct medical support to the most vulnerable groups.
He said, “This initiative is part of our effort to complement the Federal Government’s healthcare reforms. We are grateful to our international partners and donors who have joined us in making this possible. Having completed similar missions in the Southern and Central zones of Plateau, this phase will address referral cases and introduce advanced medical procedures, including heart surgeries and hip replacements.”
The APC Chairman revealed that, in addition to offering medical treatment, the visiting doctors would also engage in capacity-building sessions for Nigerian medical practitioners.
“For the next two weeks, these experts will train our local doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers to enhance their ability to perform complex surgeries and procedures. This collaboration will leave behind a sustainable impact beyond their stay,” he added.
According to Yilwatda, the APC intends to extend similar health missions to all six geopolitical zones as part of its Corporate Social Investment drive, with a full schedule to be released soon.
The team lead, Dr. Emeka Anyanwu, also expressed optimism about the outreach’s impact, noting that the delegation comprises trauma surgeons, gynaecologists, ophthalmologists, orthopaedic specialists, and general surgeons who will handle various cases within the period.
He emphasized that the team’s goal is not only to treat patients but also to strengthen Nigeria’s medical capacity through knowledge transfer and professional collaboration.
