August 29, 2025
The Executive Secretary of the Bureau for Mines and Solid Minerals, Hon. Stephen Aondona Uta, has successfully completed a free medical outreach for the people of Shangev-Ya in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.
Addressing the crowd that gathered for treatment at Koti Shangev-Ya, Hon. Uta stated that his desire was for the outreach to touch every family in the community, thereby reducing the burden of hospital bills amidst the harsh economic conditions facing the country.
He informed the community that the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, is on a deliberate mission to transform the state and set it on the path of sustainable development. He appealed to them to continue supporting and praying for the administration.
Hon. Uta also promised to sustain the gesture, adding that other programmes were in the pipeline for his people to benefit from in the shortest possible time.
He appreciated the medical team for their hard work and professional conduct throughout the exercise.
According to the report by the medical team lead, Dr. Thaddeus Aende, the outreach, which started on August 25 and ended on August 28, 2025, achieved the following:
- 5,000 patients were consulted and treated for various conditions
- 246 surgeries were carried out
- 450 reading glasses were distributed
- 100 patients received ear syringing and other care
- 906 women were screened for Human Papillomavirus (cervical cancer screening), and 600 were vaccinated
Additionally, 91 referrals were made to tertiary health facilities, and Hon. Uta promised to cover the bills.
