Beneficiaries Hail APC Chairman Nentawe’s Free Medical Outreach, Demand Increased Healthcare Investment In Taraba

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Thousands of residents across Taraba State have commended the ongoing Renewed Hope Free Medical and Surgical Outreach 2026, describing it as a life-changing intervention that has provided free access to quality healthcare for vulnerable residents, particularly those in rural communities.

The beneficiaries, while expressing gratitude to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, appealed to the Taraba State Government to increase investment in healthcare infrastructure and services to complement humanitarian interventions across the state.

The three-week outreach, organised to mark Professor Yilwatda’s 58th birthday, continued on Monday with massive turnout at designated treatment centres, where hundreds of residents received free medical consultations, laboratory investigations, medications, specialist care and surgical services.

Correspondents who visited the Primary Health Care Centre in Sunkani and other treatment centres in Bali, Gembu, Takum, Bambur and Wukari observed long queues of residents who arrived early to benefit from the exercise.

The medical outreach targets underserved and vulnerable populations by providing comprehensive healthcare services, including diagnosis and treatment of common illnesses, specialist consultations, surgical procedures and preventive healthcare aimed at early detection of diseases.

Many beneficiaries described the programme as a timely intervention, noting that rising healthcare costs had made access to quality medical care increasingly difficult for many families.

Mrs. Deborah Isah, a resident of Sunkani who was treated for malaria and typhoid, said the outreach spared her the financial burden of paying for medical treatment.

She expressed appreciation to Professor Yilwatda for sponsoring the initiative and prayed for greater success in his leadership.

Another beneficiary, Mr. Abubakar Ahmed, a farmer who received treatment for typhoid, stomach-related complications and eye problems, said the programme had brought relief to many low-income households struggling with medical expenses.

He also commended the Taraba State Government for supporting the initiative and urged stronger collaboration between government and humanitarian organisations to improve access to healthcare across the state.

Miss Dorcas Ephesians, who sought treatment for persistent abdominal pain, praised the professionalism and dedication of the medical team, calling for similar interventions to be extended to more remote communities where access to healthcare remains limited.

Speaking at the Sunkani treatment centre, the team leader, Dr. Williams Golis, said the outreach was purely humanitarian and available to all residents irrespective of political affiliation, religion or social status.

“Our mission is to provide quality healthcare through specialist consultations, appropriate medical treatment and life-changing surgical interventions for everyone in need,” he said.

According to the organisers, the first phase of the programme, running from August 3 to 7, is taking place simultaneously at six healthcare facilities spread across Taraba State’s three senatorial districts.

The centres include the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Wukari; General Hospitals in Takum, Bali, Gembu and Bambur; as well as the Primary Health Care Centre in Sunkani.
The organisers disclosed that the outreach will be officially inaugurated on August 8 to coincide with Professor Yilwatda’s 58th birthday.

They added that the second phase of the programme, scheduled for August 8 to 22, will be conducted at the Federal Medical Centre and the National Orthopaedic Hospital in Jalingo, where beneficiaries requiring advanced specialist consultations and complex surgical procedures will receive treatment.

Health professionals involved in the exercise said the initiative highlights the critical role of humanitarian partnerships in expanding access to healthcare, especially in underserved rural communities.

While appreciating the immediate impact of the programme, beneficiaries maintained that sustained government investment in primary healthcare, specialist services, medical personnel and health infrastructure remains essential to addressing Taraba State’s long-term healthcare challenges.