By Bashir Hassan Abubakar

Nearly 1,000 residents of Bara Community in Kirfi Local Government Area of Bauchi State have benefited from a free medical outreach sponsored by Bauchi South Senator, Shehu Buba Umar, as part of efforts to cushion the health impact of the recent flood disaster in the area.

The outreach, conducted at the Bara Primary Health Care Centre (PHC), offered beneficiaries a range of healthcare services, including medical consultations, malaria testing and treatment, blood pressure and blood sugar screening, Hepatitis B screening, treatment of common ailments, health education and counselling, referrals for complicated cases, and the distribution of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs).

Speaking at the flag-off, Senator Buba, represented by Isa Ahmed Tahir, said the intervention was prompted by the heightened risk of disease outbreaks and other health challenges that often follow flooding. He said the initiative was aimed at providing immediate healthcare support to affected residents while demonstrating solidarity with the community during its recovery.

"The aftermath of flooding is usually accompanied by serious health concerns. Although this outreach may not meet all the medical needs of the people, it is our modest contribution to easing their burden and supporting the recovery process," he said, while commending the Bauchi State Government for facilitating the exercise.

Also speaking, the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) candidate for Bauchi South Senatorial District, Hon. Shehu Aliyu Musa (Barden Gabas), represented by Dr. Sulaiman Kusa, urged residents to take advantage of the free services, describing the outreach as one of several humanitarian interventions planned across the state.

Chief Executive Officer of Community Advancement and Development (CAD) Foundation, Abdulrazak Umar, said the programme was implemented with the sponsorship of Senator Buba and the support of Hon. Shehu Aliyu Musa, as well as the cooperation of the community's traditional leadership. He disclosed that medical Drugs and other medical consumables worth millions of naira were distributed during the outreach. 

In his vote of thanks, the District Head of Bara Alhaji Muhammad Abdullahi, expressed appreciation to the sponsors and implementing organisation for bringing timely healthcare services to the flood-affected community. He described the intervention as a source of hope for residents and appealed to other philanthropists to support vulnerable communities. 

Drugs and other medical consumables worth millions of naira were distributed during the outreach.