News Editor
From Dooshima Terkura Makurdi
About 526 patients has been treated by the Global Gospel Missions Initiative (GGMI) at it’s ongoing Free Health Care outreach organized at Akahar, Duuv in Ipav of Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State.
The organizers who noted the outreach was part of efforts to complement Government’s efforts to combat diseases and sicknesses and improve health access to local communities in Benue State, also carried out 13 minor surgeries for lymphoma and other ailments.
The GGMI 2025 Free Health Care was launched by GGMI in collaboration with the Mbakpegh Traditional Council and the Mbakpegh District of Ipav in Gboko Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State has launched the
Speaking outreach, t
The team lead of GGMI, Mr. Gabriel Pilaku, who spoke at Greater Scholar Academy, Akahar, in Gboko LGA, venue for the event, said poor health service delivery in the communities is a serious challenge and public health issue that requires immediate attention.
He said “That is why GGMI has deemed it necessary to complement the State government efforts by providing free health services to rural communities that invites them through their traditional leaders.
He said GGMI did a survey of the health needs of the community in January this year and discovered that the community has a lot of crippled, diseased and sick folks.
He called on the Mbakpegh Community and the state government to declare a state of emergency on health and improve on Primary Health Care (PHC) service delivery to rural communities in the state.
While addressing the patients, a member of the team, Dr. Isaac Utera advised them to conduct themselves orderly promising that they would all be attended to.
He urged the community to avail themselves of the free medical services as it is the intent of the Chief Ashim and his council, that the Mbakpegh communities should live healthy and have access to affordable health services.
“We are here to treat you free of charge and preach the good news of Jesus Christ to you”, he added.
Speaking through a representative, Chief Teghtegh Ashim urged his subjects and all residents of Mbakpegh council Ward to embrace good hygiene practices and health seeking behaviours.
He appreciated GGMI for providing them with the opportunity and prayed God to bless them.
The team had earlier visited the Kindred Head of Mbakpegh of Ipav, Chief Teghtegh Ashim where he noted that diseases and sicknesses are dehumanizing and on the rise in the community.
He revealed that most of his subjects are sick and lacked money to access health care.
Collaborating Chief Ashim’s position, Mama Mary Tyodzenda and Mr. Philip Awuha, both patients affirmed that lack of money has hindered them from accessing good health care and expressed gratitude for the free health programme.
“We thanked GGMI for coming to our aid with quality health care, they added.
Also speaking, an 85 year old beneficiary, Mr. Dennis Amendeh, appreciated the mission for bringing them health care. He said “I couldn’t sleep nor walk before now but GGMI came with this free consultation and treatment.
“I can now walk freely. I am still taking their medications. God bless this group.”
The medical services include counselling sessions, consultancy, drugs dispensing, minor surgical procedures, ophthalmological services vocational and technical trainings to rural populace with spiritual counselling and psychosocial services.
