Thousands of Nigerians struggling to access affordable healthcare are receiving renewed hope as the Jennifer Etuh Foundation (JEF) provides free medical services, including life-changing surgeries, during a five-day medical outreach at Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH), Akwanga, Nasarawa State.
The outreach, which commenced on October 12, aims to reach 3,000 beneficiaries and perform more than 100 surgeries, bringing essential medical care to underserved residents who might otherwise be unable to afford treatment.
Speaking with newsmen on Thursday, JEF Programme Manager, Mr Joe Otu, disclosed that hundreds of patients had already received treatment for conditions including fibroids, hernias, appendicitis, abscesses and other lumps. The intervention also covers eye and dental care, medical investigations, medications and emergency procedures, all at no cost to beneficiaries.
The scale of the response has been remarkable. According to Otu, 645 people received services on the first day, while 954 were attended to on the second day. More than 50 surgeries had been performed by Wednesday, with the medical team expressing confidence that it would surpass its target before the exercise ends.
One of the most inspiring outcomes is the recovery of Mr Monday Jatau, a farmer from Angwan Sabo in Akwanga, who regained his sight after living with blindness for 20 years following a domestic accident.
Jatau said he had almost given up hope of receiving specialist treatment because he could not afford the cost until his pastor informed him about the free medical outreach.
“I had resigned to fate over my condition since I couldn’t afford specialist medical care until my pastor told in church about the free medical outreach. I came and can now see after undergoing surgery. I thank God and the Foundation for this miracle in my life,” he said.
Another beneficiary, Mrs Aisha Salihu, also expressed relief after delivering twins through a caesarean section. She explained that she and her husband had struggled to raise the money needed for the procedure before the foundation intervened.
The 82-member medical team, provided by ProHealth International, is working with DASH, Peace House and the Nasarawa State Government through its Ministry of Health. The hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Dr Esala Abene, commended the partners for extending treatment to people who could not afford healthcare while ensuring regular hospital services continued.
The foundation, established in memory of the late Mrs Jennifer Ramatu-Etuh, has conducted more than 20 similar interventions nationwide over the past five years, focusing on healthcare, economic empowerment and education for women and girls.
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Beyond treatment, the outreach includes health education, particularly on hypertension, and plans for research to identify common community health challenges and guide future government interventions. JEF has also made arrangements for postoperative care to support beneficiaries after the exercise.
With free treatment restoring sight, supporting safe childbirth and saving lives, the Nasarawa outreach demonstrates how targeted healthcare interventions can bring hope to families facing financial hardship.
