Miango Medical Outreach

Miango in Bassa Local Government of Plateau State is one of the communities where Bege for Gobe has a presence. We hold bi-weekly Bible studies with the widows in the community - women who lost their husbands (and children in some cases), to attacks by bandits and herdsmen militia. Because of our work with the community, we saw that these widows have lots of needs. Struggling to keep their heads above water, they are barely getting by. For most, visiting healthcare personnel or seeking medication when they are sick is a luxury they cannot  afford. This prompted our decision to organize a medical outreach to the widows in Miango.

The outreach took place on October 23, 2021. The turnout, in terms of medical personnel and volunteers, was beyond expectation. We had 24 doctors, 6 other medical professionals and 11 volunteers (6 were missionaries and 5 from Bege for Gobe’s Mums in Prayers). In total, about 40 people assembled at the take-off point, which was St. Bartholomew’s Church in Jos. After a brief address by Rev Mrs Naomi Famonure and Dr Mrs Oyebode, the team took off for Miango in 7 vehicles. At Miango, the team was received by the pastor of the ECWA church in the town. There were already about 50 widows waiting to receive attention. Before long, the numbers increased as other people in the town came seeking medical attention.

 The doctors and other medical staff organised themselves into four teams:

 Optometry, Dental, Psychiatric and General medicine.

They immediately spread out so that they could provide wider coverage of the rapidly growing crowd. A dispensary was also set up to administer drugs after consultation. Many sick people were carried into the consulting area from their sick beds. There were several patients who had been sick for weeks (some for months) without any medical attention. They could not afford to visit a doctor and had steadily been getting worse. 

The outreach was meticulously planned and executed. The dental unit carried out tooth extractions and filled cavities, while the optometry unit was able to give out reading glasses to those who needed them. Refreshment was also made available for those who were present. However, the workload was much and the doctors worked tirelessly, often not pausing for breaks.

 

Although the outreach was organised primarily for the widows, we could not turn away those who came from the community. They included men and children who were in dire need of medical attention. It was clear that the Bege for Gobe medical outreach addressed a felt need. Sadly, there are many patients who would need more than just a single visit to a doctor. 

Unless another medical outreach is organised, there is little hope that they would receive the medical attention they desperately need.

We have no words to express the deep gratitude we felt and still feel. We planned the outreach to minister to the people of Miango, but it was a privilege for us to see Jesus at work and to be a part of His ministry. 

We were humbled by the number of medical personnel that turned up for the outreach and how tirelessly they worked. We pray that God’s blessings will overflow in their lives in Jesus name.