The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has provided 1,500 residents of Bunkure Local Government Area of Kano State with a free dental outreach as part of her empowerment programme.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by her Special Adviser on Media, Austine Elemue.
The outreach, which took place at the Bunkure Primary Health Care Centre, brought relief to residents who had long suffered from untreated oral health challenges, with many beneficiaries receiving immediate dental care.
Speaking during the exercise, Dr. Mahmoud described the initiative as part of a broader empowerment programme that covered all 44 local government areas and 484 wards in Kano State.
“I am super elated. As you can see, so many people gathered here today. Some had dentures fixed, some had extractions, while others did scaling and polishing,” she said.
“Many of them didn’t even know they needed to clean their teeth twice a year. Some cannot afford artificial dentures. That is why we brought this initiative in partnership with the Global Smile Initiative (GSI) here.”
She explained that beyond treatment, beneficiaries were also given dental kits, including toothbrushes and toothpaste, alongside oral health education.
“If you cannot brush three times a day, at least do it in the morning and at night,” she advised.
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While noting that medical outreaches are usually periodic, the minister expressed optimism that similar interventions could be expanded to other health areas.
“It could be ophthalmic next time, for those with eye problems. It could address malnutrition in children or provide free antenatal care for pregnant women.
“We can go one by one. It is very doable if we have the opportunity,” she said, describing the programme as part of the dividends of democracy under the Tinubu administration.
A beneficiary, Zulai Adamu, described the outreach as life-changing.
“For 10 years, I couldn’t smile or laugh because I was afraid people would laugh at me,” she said tearfully.
“I used to go to the hospital, but I couldn’t afford the treatment. Today, the minister has restored my smile. Now, I can laugh when and where necessary.”
Programme Coordinator of the Global Smile Initiative, Dr. Olusegun Alalade, said the turnout was overwhelming, with over 500 people present at the venue.
“As at the time you met us, we have attended to close to 200 beneficiaries,” he said, noting that cases ranged from dentures and fillings to extractions, medications, and general consultations.
