Dr Faisal Shuaib
By Alfred M. Akwe
In 2023, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, an accomplished public health physician and Director-General of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), led an ambitious and far-reaching medical outreach program across Nasarawa State. The initiative, designed to bridge critical healthcare gaps, delivered free, comprehensive medical services to over 100,000 residents, many of whom live in hard-to-reach rural communities with limited or no access to basic healthcare.
Spanning all 13 local government areas, the statewide medical outreaches addressed both curative and preventive health needs. Services provided included screening and treatment for malaria, hypertension, diabetes, and common infections, as well as minor surgical interventions, maternal care, eye care, and routine immunizations.
“This initiative was born out of a deep understanding that healthcare should not be a privilege limited to urban centers,” said Dr. Shuaib during the closing ceremony in Lafia. “Our goal was to extend quality medical care to the doorstep of every citizen, especially those in underserved communities.”
Over 25,000 children received routine immunizations during the outreaches, contributing significantly to efforts to reduce vaccine-preventable diseases in the state. Additionally, more than 18,000 women benefited from antenatal care services, while over 9,000 elderly individuals were screened for non-communicable diseases and provided with reading glasses and medications for age-related conditions.
A survey conducted following the outreach revealed that 67% of beneficiaries had not seen a healthcare provider in the past two years then. For many, the outreach served as their first opportunity to access formal medical care.
“I had been experiencing severe headaches and dizziness for months but didn’t know it was high blood pressure,” said Mrs. Hadiza Bala, a 52-year-old farmer from Keffi. “Thanks to this program, I got tested and received medication. I now understand my condition and how to manage it.”
The outreaches were made possible through the collaborative efforts of over 400 medical volunteers – including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, and community health extension workers = supported by local authorities and community leaders. Health education sessions were conducted to raise awareness on sanitation, nutrition, and disease prevention, thereby equipping residents with knowledge to sustain healthier lifestyles.
“Many of these communities are entirely off the grid in terms of healthcare infrastructure,” said Dr. Abubakar Aliyu, one of the coordinating physicians. “We met people suffering in silence from preventable and treatable conditions. This program gave them a second chance.”
Beyond the immediate medical interventions, the initiative left a lasting impact on the social fabric of the communities visited. The outreaches fostered renewed trust in the healthcare system and sparked discussions around long-term improvements in primary healthcare delivery. Youths were particularly inspired, with many volunteering and expressing interest in careers in health and humanitarian service.
In the words of a community leader from Doma LGA, “Dr. Shuaib did not just bring medicine—he brought dignity, empathy, and hope. This outreach has reminded us that we matter.”
As Nasarawa State continues to work toward achieving universal health coverage, the 2023 medical outreaches led by Dr. Faisal Shuaib stand as a testament to what is possible when purposeful leadership meets grassroots engagement. It is a model that could be replicated across Nigeria to address persistent healthcare disparities, particularly in rural and low-resource settings.
“Healthcare is a right, not a privilege,” Dr. Shuaib emphasized. “And we must continue to take bold, people-centered steps to ensure no one is left behind.”
Note:
Dr Faisal Shuaib is as an aspiring to to be APC Candidate and the most fit replacement of Engr. Abdullahi Sule in 2027.