West African surgeons celebrate 60th annual conference, offer free surgical outreach

The West African College of Surgeons, Abuja, Nigeria, has announced free surgical operations for patients in some selected hospitals in the country.

The free medical service, according to the Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Administration, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa, is to mark the celebration of the 60th Annual Conference of West African Surgeons holding between 17th and 21st February, 2020 in Abuja.

In a memo released by Health and Human Services Secretariat, FCT, it was stated that the surgeons would attend to critical health conditions.

“The members of the college, who are mainly Specialist Surgeons, ENT Surgeon, Gynaecologists, Ophthalmologists, and Radiologists will be undertaking free surgical operations for conditions such as Hernias, Breast or other Lumps, Thyroid (Goitre), Fibroid, cleft lip, cleft palate, cataract and glaucoma etc, between 9th and 15th, February 2020,” the memo reads.

While speaking on the one-week surgical outreach, Dr Mathew Ashikeni, Director Special Duties at HHSS, confirmed that the surgeries would be free and hold in some selected hospitals.

“Registration of patients is free. It commenced on Monday 2 December 2019 at all the selected hospitals and will end on 8th February, 2020,” he explained.

“You are hereby invited to mobilize the residents of your Area Council with any of the listed surgical conditions to the nearest participating Health facility for FREE registration,” he enjoined.

The following hospitals will be used for the surgical outreach programme which will be
flagged off by the Hon. Minister FCT, Ma’am Muhammad Musa Bello on February, 2020.

• Bwari General Hospital
• Kubwa General Hospital • Kuje General Hospital
• Kwali General Hospital
• Wuse General Hospital
• Federal Medical Centre Jabi
• Rachel Eye Hospital, Area 11 Garki
• Garki Hospital,
• Abuja General Hospital • Lambata, Niger state
• General Hospital, Mararaba Nasarawa State
• Kogi Specialist Hospital lokoja