About Our Mission

Methodology

Following approval of the proposal and release of two-month worth of budgeted amount, the outreach started in earnest in accordance with the work plan. Advocacy visits were made to the Emir of Gusau and many traditional community leaders. Radio jingles were played to inform Zamfara communities about this outreach.

Zoom video meetings were held with resource persons and medical officers in the designated hospitals. All were advised on screening and safety measures necessary to ensure successful and hitch-free outreach. Procurement of drugs and consumables not available at DMA was made. Other drugs were obtained from DMA. Production of stickers, banners, screening tools, and evaluation tools was completed.

Resource staff were mobilized and enrolled from across the state with additional surgeons recruited from Sokoto, Kaduna, and Abuja. More than 125 medical staff were engaged for the program. The outreach team comprised surgeons, gynaecologists, ophthalmologists, anaesthesiologists, nurses, medical laboratory scientists, pharmacists, health record officers, and other allied health workers.

Training and standardization of hernia surgery were conducted. The training consisted of lectures and practical demonstrations to standardize hernia surgery to prevent recurrence. This training was led by Professor Ismaila Mungadi, Dr. Peter Enesi, and Dr. Abubakar S Muhammad.

In addition to the targeted cases of cataract, groin swellings, and vesico-vaginal fistula, patients with surgical conditions that could be accommodated were not denied surgery. These included lipomas, ganglion, pelvic organ prolapse, intersex, undescended testes, anorectal anomalies, and injuries.

Impact

The impact of the outreach on the local community was tremendous. The free program has improved the quality of life of many citizens of Zamfara State and potentially the economic situation of their families. Many beneficiaries had been carrying their pathologies for several years and were unable to get operated on due to lack of resources.

The outreach provided free surgeries and postoperative medications. There were 495 eyesight restorations, 607 cures from debilitating groin swellings, and remedies for 57 women devastated by VVF. This has saved many families' income that would have been used to seek treatment.

The outreach improved the skills of local surgeons. Many trainee gynaecologists and ophthalmologists benefited from the experience. Treatment centres were upgraded with surgical equipment and materials that will continue to benefit the centres post-outreach.

The outreach also improved the turnover of the Drug and Medical Consumable Management Agency (DMA), as it was the primary source of drugs and consumables. The need for diverse drugs allowed DMA to connect with quality-assured sources nationwide, boosting its growth.

Authorities at FMC Gusau noted reduced patient traffic, allowing the centre to focus on specialized tertiary care and reducing work overload.

Cumulative Operated Cases, By Centre

From August 2023 to date