The lawmaker representing Bungudu/Maru Federal Constituency of Zamfara, Rep. Abdulmalik Zubairu, on Thursday, launched free medical outreach for 1,500 indigent and underprivileged persons in his constituency.

The exercise was organised in collaboration with the national secretariat of the Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN).

The three-day medical outreach will take place at Zubairu Bawa Women and Children Community Hospital built in Bungudu Town by the lawmaker.

The lawmaker, represented at the event by his legislative aide, Jamilu Umar, said the gesture was to provide patients suffering from different ailments with free medication.

“This is one of the activities to fulfil my campaign promises, especially in healthcare delivery.

“You know I promised free medical intervention for the vulnerable persons during my campaign.

“A total of 1,500 beneficiaries, especially the poor and less privileged, male and female, would benefit from the outreach,” Mr Zubairu said.

In a remark, the national president of IMAN, Prof. Ibrahim Adekunle, represented by Dr Salisu Ismai’l from the Department of Surgery, Federal University Teaching Hospital, Dutse, commended the lawmaker’s intervention in the health sector.

“Free medical outreach is one of the major activities of IMAN aimed to support vulnerable groups in society.

“We also educate the public on the general health issues as well as encourage secondary school students to study health courses,” Mr Adekunle said.

Also, the Emir of Bungudu, Hassan Attahiru, described the gesture as commendable.

“I commend the lawmaker for building this hospital and the free medical services in this area.

“This is timely, considering the present economic hardship faced by the people, I hope more vulnerable persons would benefit from the programme,” Mr Attahiru said.

He called on wealthy individuals to emulate the lawmaker in assisting the poor and less privileged in society.

Earlier, the managing director of the hospital, Dr Lawal Isah, said the 50-bed capacity community hospital was built and equipped by the lawmaker to provide free medical services in the area.

“A team of medical doctors and paramedics would examine patients, provide them with free drugs and perform operations, where necessary,” Mr Isah said.

(NAN)