Hundreds of residents from communities across Mupun land in Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau State benefited from a free medical outreach organized as part of activities leading to the 2026 Mupun Cultural Festival (Vwang).
The one-day outreach, held on Friday, March 13, 2026, took place at two Primary Healthcare Centres in Lankan and Abwor Dyis, providing free medical consultations, medications, eye care services and surgical interventions to residents.
The initiative, which targets about 1,000 beneficiaries, was conceived by the Director General of the Plateau State Contributory HealthCare Management Agency, Dr. Kwande Solomon Dawal, in collaboration with the Chief Medical Director of Plateau Specialist Hospital, Professor Christopher Yilgwan.
Speaking during the outreach, Dawal described the medical intervention as one of several activities marking this year’s Vwang Festival, the foremost cultural celebration of the Mupun people.
According to him, the outreach was organized to give back to the community while improving access to healthcare for rural residents.
“This year’s Vwang Cultural Festival is unique because it features several activities beyond the cultural displays. Today we have the medical outreach and a hiking activity showcasing the hills and valleys of Mupun land,” he said.
He explained that the outreach involved medical screening, consultations, distribution of drugs and specialized eye care services including cataract surgery, all provided free of charge.
Dawal added that the initiative was largely sponsored by sons and daughters of the Mupun nation who contributed financially and technically to ensure the success of the programme.
He also used the opportunity to highlight the benefits of the Plateau State health insurance scheme, which provides coverage for residents across different socio-economic groups.
Also speaking, Professor Yilgwan stressed the importance of community health, noting that a healthy population translates to a productive and prosperous society.
“You will agree with me that health is wealth. The whole aim of this medical outreach is to help our community remain healthy. When you have a healthy community, you also have a wealthy community,” he said.
Yilgwan commended the ongoing efforts of the Plateau State Government under Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang to strengthen healthcare delivery through the renovation of primary healthcare facilities and recruitment of health workers.
He noted that the outreach had already attended to over 300 patients at the Lankan centre alone, with a similar number recorded at the Abwor Dyis facility.
According to him, common cases identified during the outreach included malaria, hypertension, skin infections, infestations and several eye conditions such as cataracts and refractive errors.
“We are also linking patients who require advanced treatment to higher levels of care. Earlier today we identified a patient with an eye tumour who will be referred to a tertiary facility,” he said.
The programme was implemented in partnership with organizations including the Christian Blind Mission and the Koky Rehabilitation Centre in Mangu, with support from volunteer health professionals.
President of the Mupun Cultural Development Association, Controller Haruna Tanko Walleng (Rtd), commended the organizers for bringing healthcare services directly to the rural population.
He said many residents who attended the screening received medications, reading glasses and were scheduled for surgeries.
“Ordinarily, if these people were to go to a hospital, they would spend a lot of money. Bringing this service to the community is something we deeply appreciate,” he said.
Residents who benefited from the outreach also expressed gratitude to the organizers.
One of the beneficiaries, Julius Gon, who received a pair of reading glasses, said the intervention greatly improved his vision.
“I could not read small writings before, but after receiving the glasses I can now read clearly. I am very happy about this programme,” he said.
Another resident, Dawon Samuel Dawal, also thanked the medical team and sponsors for assisting members of the community, especially the less privileged.
The medical outreach forms part of a three-day programme marking the 2026 Vwang Festival.
While Friday featured the outreach and youth hiking activities, the main cultural celebration will take place on Saturday, March 14, at the Mupun arena with displays of traditional music, dance, fashion and other cultural heritage.
The event will conclude with a thanksgiving service on Sunday, bringing together Mupun sons and daughters from across Nigeria and the diaspora to celebrate their shared heritage.
