The Leader Joe 1808 Foundation, a non-governmental organization, has conducted a large-scale medical outreach in the Tudun Biri community of Igabi Local Government Area, Kaduna State, on Saturday.
The outreach, focused on combating a scabies outbreak, provided medical care to over 1,000 residents.
Scabies is a contagious skin condition caused by microscopic mites, leading to severe itching and rash. The infection spreads through direct skin contact and can become a community-wide issue if not addressed.
 The outbreak in Tudun Biri, primarily affecting women and children, prompted the 1808 Foundation to intervene in collaboration with the State Primary Health Care Development Agency.
Mr. Theck Makeri, the State Coordinator of the 1808 Foundation, explained that a need assessment conducted in the community identified scabies as a pressing health concern.
 “Unfortunately, scabies is often linked to personal hygiene, and Tudun Biri lacks basic amenities that would help ensure proper hygiene,” Makeri stated.
He emphasized that the outbreak underscored the urgent need for medical intervention.
Beyond medical care, the outreach also included the distribution of essential food items. The initiative, branded “Feed a Thousand,” aimed to meet the needs of at least 1,000 vulnerable individuals in the community.
Residents received food packages containing 3kg bags of rice, along with Maggi seasoning and salt.
The outreach comes in the wake of a tragic incident that devastated the Tudun Biri community in December 2023.
 During a Maulud Nabiyyi celebration, which marks the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), a military drone on a routine operation allegedly bombed the community in error, resulting in the deaths of over 80 villagers.
 In response, the Kaduna State Government initiated documentation to facilitate compensation for the affected landowners, as part of plans to rebuild the community.
In July 2024, Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, launched the rebuilding of Tudun Biri under the Nigerian Government Pulako Initiative.
 The foundation’s intervention in the community is part of ongoing efforts to support those affected by the tragedy.
Mr. Makeri noted that the 1808 Foundation is committed to meeting the humanitarian needs of vulnerable individuals and communities.
 “Tudun Biri is one of the communities we felt a strong need to support, especially considering the tragic events of last year. We believed that providing medical assistance and food distribution would make a meaningful impact,” he said.
The outreach was well-received by the community, with many residents expressing gratitude. Mrs. Saratu Samuel, a resident and beneficiary, praised the foundation for its timely intervention. “I am happy that two of my children received medical care free of charge, which would have been very expensive for me otherwise,” she said.
Another resident, Malam Idris Addo, also commended the foundation’s efforts. He urged the organization to extend similar assistance to neighboring communities that suffered losses during the previous year’s tragic incident.
During the outreach, a team of health workers conducted free medical tests for the residents and distributed medications for various health conditions, including malaria, typhoid, and high blood pressure.
