* As State Govt Moves To Establish Largest Medical Mission
By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
No fewer than fifty persons, including men, women, young and old will benefit from free dental care and surgeries in Niger state in the next two weeks.
Plans are underway by the Niger state government to establish Nigeria's largest medical mission which will include full dental package that will provide both medical and counseling services to manage all dental related cases.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Murtala Muhammad Bagana diaclosed this at a media briefing to mark the year, 2026 World Oral Health Day, which took place at the ministry of health on Wednesday.
This year's Oral World Health Day, with the theme: 'A Happy Mouth, A Happy Life', the Commissioner said is apt as it will provide broader strategies on how to handle dental related issues before it causes irredeemable infections.
Due to the importance the Governor Umar Bago led administration attaches to the health sector, the Commissioner represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Abdul Usman Imam said more medical personnel were engaged recently.
The Commissioner, supported by the Chief Dental Surgeon of the state, Dr. Charles Mgbemena told journalists that the free medical care and surgeries by the Ministry in collaboration with the Nigeria Dental Association, Niger state chapter is part of 2 weeks lined up activities to mark the 2026 World Oral Health Day.
In his contributions, the state's Chief Dental Surgeon, Dr. Charles Mgbemena explained that the year's World Oral Health Day being marked on the 20th of March could not hold then because of the Eid-el-fitr celebrations.
As part of activities to commemorate the event, Dr. Mgbemena said members of the Nigeria Dental Association in Niger state visited the Farid centre for autistic children, Mariam Babangida Girls Secondary School and the Kure ultramodern market for enlightenment on oral health hygiene and for dental medical care.
Climax of the events according to Dr. Charles will include an honorary award to Governor Bago as, 'Patron of Oral Health', while other personalities who have distinguished themselves by recognizing the positive impacts of dental surgeons in the state. NNL.
