Ben Ezechime, Enugu
No fewer than 1,050 residents of Emene community in Enugu have benefitted from Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Wives Association (NAFOWA) Comprehensive Medical Outreach which took place on Friday.
The outreach, sponsored by the National President of NAFOWA, Dr Rakiya Abubakar, covered free treatment for various ailments for the residents especially women and children of Emene community and other adjoining communities within Enugu metropolis.
Abubakar, who is also the Wife of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, said that the medical outreach was part of NAFOWA humanitarian services and corporate social responsibility meant to give back to the host communities.
“It is meant to take care of the healthcare and well-being of the poor and vulnerable that might not have the access or financial ability to take care of their health.
“It is an age-long tradition, which NAFOWA has kept and uses to solve the health burden and challenge of Nigerians,” she said.
Abubakar said that the comprehensive medical outreach covers: free eye check and glasses; free distribution of 150 insecticide treated nets, dental checks and treatment, other routine medical checks and free drugs.
She said that other benefits of the outreach included: free de-worming for school children and referral to Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Medical Centre, Enugu among others.
The NAFOWA boss also visited, donated food items and cash to Guardian Angels Motherless Babies Home, Emene in Enugu.
She encouraged the children to study hard and be focused, adding: “You can be a notable personality in the society, if you are determined to work hard and pray for God’s favour.”
Abubakar also inaugurated NAFOWA Complex at NAF Base in Abakpa, which houses the NAFOWA Secretariat, NAFOWA Little Angels Creche and Mrs Rakiya Abubakar Children’s Park.
She also laid the foundation stone for the NAFOWA Skill Acquisition and Vocational Training Centre at NAF Base Abakpa, Enugu.
Addressing officers and men’s wives, the NAFOWA President advised them to continue to support their husbands and encourage them to put in their best in the service of the nation and humanity.
Speaking, AVM Usman Abdullahi, the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Nigerian Air Force Ground Training Command, Enugu, said that the visit of the NAFOWA President was a morale boost to officers’ and men’s wives as well as positive gesture to the children.
“Most of the projects inaugurated today, will add value to the lives and well-being of our women and children and create a conducive environment for them.
“The medical outreach will also bring succor to the indigent and sick within our host communities and people of Enugu; as everybody irrespective of socioeconomic status will access comprehensive and free healthcare,” the AOC said.
On the medical outreach, Squadron Leader Nelson Akinlose, Command Medical Officer, said that the turnout had been impressive, adding “there is a full complement of medical professionals dutifully attending to the residents.
“The prevalent ailment mostly diagnosed among the residents included upper respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection and malaria,” Akinlose, who is also Commanding Officer 553 Base Services Group Medical Centre, Enugu, said.
Responding, one of the beneficiaries, Mrs Ucheoma Nebo, appreciated NAFOWA for the free insecticide treated net and free malaria drugs given to her during the medical outreach.
“Nigerian Air Force and NAFOWA are doing well and we will continue to pray for their protection and progress,” Nebo said.
Another beneficiary, Mr Chinedu Ani, thanked NAFOWA for given him free antibiotics drugs after being diagnosed of typhoid fever.
“This comprehensive healthcare at our doorstep, which is made free-of-charge, will go a long way to assist us in this time when drug and medication is very expensive,” Ani said.
