Gboko, Benue State – The 2024 Health Fair organized by the Mutual Union of Tiv in America (MUTA) concluded with resounding success, providing free medical care to over 2,000 residents in Gboko, the traditional headquarters of the Tiv people. Held at St. John’s Secondary School and supported by the Catholic Diocese of Gboko, Global Health and Development Initiative, and Red Aide Nigeria, the two-day event underscored MUTA's commitment to improving healthcare accessibility for underserved communities.
The Chairman of MUTA's Health Committee, Dr. Orduen Abunku, highlighted the initiative's goals during a press briefing on Saturday. "Our aim is to complement existing health structures in the state and enhance the quality of healthcare delivery. Gboko was chosen because of its significance to the Tiv people and the pressing need for accessible health services here," he stated.
Dr. Abunku revealed that the most common ailment diagnosed at the fair was eye-related conditions, with one in every eight attendees presenting challenges ranging from itching to severe eye pain. Other prevalent health issues included hypertension and abdominal pain.
In describing the turnout, Dr. Abunku remarked, “We attended to over 500 individuals on the first day alone, and the numbers have significantly increased today. The crowd’s response reflects the immense need for such outreach programs. By the end of this fair, we expect to have provided assistance to over 2,000 people.”
The event was executed by a multidisciplinary team, including medical doctors, pharmacists, and support staff, all dedicated to ensuring that every participant received quality care. Dr. Terwase Diwa, the head of the Pharmaceutical Unit, assured attendees that sufficient medications were available to address their needs. "We are well-prepared, with contingency plans in place to handle any shortfalls," he said.
Other key committee members, such as Mrs. Jene Abunku, emphasized that the health fair was a purely humanitarian initiative designed to address the pressing health needs of the community. “MUTA is committed to serving our people and complementing government and church efforts to improve healthcare services,” she noted.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Ruth Igbadoo, expressed profound gratitude for the assistance she received. “I’ve struggled with eye issues for years and couldn’t afford medical treatment. Thanks to this health fair, I can finally get the care I need,” she shared, praising MUTA and its partners for their life-changing intervention.
The health fair also served as a platform to raise awareness about common illnesses, provide preventive health education, and offer medications for chronic conditions.
MUTA’s 2024 Health Fair exemplifies the organization’s dedication to the welfare of Tiv communities both at home and abroad, demonstrating the power of collaborative efforts in bridging healthcare gaps. With its success in Gboko, MUTA continues to set a standard for impactful community outreach initiatives in Nigeria.
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It's my first time participating in MUTA medical outreach and I want to say the experience was quiet awesome, the relationship between us was commendable because the experience I have had at other medical outreach were not this cordial .
In a special way I appreciate Dr Abunku led team and everyone who participated in the exercise, I also extend my appreciation to our brethren over there for providing a free medical support to us back home most especially at this trying moments in Benue and Nigeria at large.
May God bless and replenish us all ijmn Amen
Greetings to Benue Medical Team support to MUTA health fair 2024....
And the MUTA representatives on ground..
It's with gratitude and appreciation from all of us, the Pharmacy personnel on this fair....Awua, Charity, Diwa, Vera, and Oluchi that I write this.
We appreciate all who supported this call to serve humanity and indeed you all gave your best.
For this me, this was a learning experience that we are called to provide medical love and care and we can come together and do our little bit in our communities.
MUTA has united us and we can continue to do so.
We appreciate Dr and Mrs Abunku, my very good friends , and all of you great care givers serving joyfully.
The prayers of all we served will go with us because God will hear and grant..
God bless and reward you all for your sacrifices of love..
Let's continue in friendship and service to God and humanity .
On behalf of the ophthalmology team, I extend the our heartfelt gratitude t MUTA health fair, Gboko 2024 for reaching out to over 400 eye patients out of which, about 200 benefited from reading glasses and over 200 received treatment for different eye problems.
We thank God and the organizers for their contribution in preventing various forms of avoidable blindness.
Prevention, it is said is cheaper than treatment.
I thank Dr O.Abunku for excellent leadership.
On behalf of all beneficiaries, I extend heartfelt appreciation for the successful two-day medical outreach organized at St. John’s Secondary School, Gboko. Your dedication, vision, and commitment to improving the health and well-being of our community are truly commendable.
The program’s success reflects the tireless efforts of your leadership and team. The care and support extended during the outreach have made a lasting difference in the lives of many, and we are deeply grateful for your impactful contributions.
Thank you for your unwavering service and for being a source of hope and healing. We look forward to future initiatives under your guidance.
It was a great experience. Special appreciation to the MUTA organizing team led by Dr Orduen Abunku @Orduen Abunku for a great event. I wish you a safe trip back home.
To all the health workers who put in a great shift, may God bless and reward you.
I hope we all returned safely to our various homes.
We really appreciate MUTA and the leadership for the opportunity given to us to come out and contribute the little we have to our great society (TIV)
I also want to thank MUTA for taking good care of us since the beginning of the program.
I can't forget to appreciate our uncle/brother *Dr. Abunku and his dear wife for the wonderful things they have done to us. We learnt a lots from them, its a thing of joy working with them.
We prayed that may God replenish MUTA more to continue with the Godly work 🙏🙏🙏
Thank you all
Long live MUTA