The Save Gashua Foundation has commenced a two-day free medical outreach in Bade Local Government Area in Yobe State.
The programme targets about 700 residents amid concerns over the prevalence of kidney disease in the area.
The 2026 Save Gashua Healthcare Outreach began on Monday in Gashua, the headquarters of Bade LGA, with residents turning out to benefit from free medical consultations and basic health screening services.
The outreach is aimed at providing access to essential healthcare services for residents who cannot afford the cost of medical treatment, particularly those living with conditions that require early detection and regular medical attention.
Speaking at the opening of the programme, the Executive Director of the foundation, Hamza Tasi’u, said the initiative was designed to support vulnerable residents who face financial barriers to accessing healthcare.
Tasi’u said, “We brought this outreach to Gashua to help people who cannot afford good healthcare. We believe that everyone should have access to healthcare, but many people cannot afford the cost of treatment.”
He expressed satisfaction with the turnout, noting that the number of residents who came for the exercise had exceeded the organisers’ expectations.
“We are happy with the number of people who have turned up for the programme. The turnout has exceeded our expectations,” he said.
According to him, the medical outreach provides kidney function tests, random blood sugar tests, blood pressure checks and medical consultations.
He explained that the screening exercise was particularly important because of the long-standing concerns over kidney disease in Gashua, Bade and neighbouring communities.
“We are doing this to combat the prevalence of kidney disease in Gashua, Bade and its environs, which have been battling the condition over the years. These tests will help people know their health status and take necessary steps,” Tasi’u said.
A nursing officer attending to residents during the exercise, Yusuf Nadabo, said the programme was organised to provide medical assistance to members of the community.
Nadabo said the outreach would help residents access basic medical services without having to bear the financial burden associated with routine consultations and screening.
Bade LGA has faced persistent concerns over kidney disease, with residents requiring specialised treatment often having to travel to Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, for dialysis.
The Yobe State Government has been providing free dialysis sessions to residents through the state’s teaching hospital, with more than 800 sessions said to have been offered.
However, some residents of Bade have expressed concern over the cost of transportation to Damaturu, saying the expense adds to the burden of managing kidney-related illnesses despite the availability of free dialysis.
They have, therefore, appealed to the Yobe State Government to establish a dialysis centre in Bade LGA to bring specialised treatment closer to patients and reduce the financial and logistical challenges associated with travelling to the state capital.
The residents said a dialysis centre in the area would improve access to treatment, particularly for patients who require regular sessions and may struggle to afford repeated journeys to Damaturu.
