Ben Ezechime, Enugu
No fewer than 1,200 residents of Mbulujodo Kingdom in Akpuoga-Nike, Enugu, have benefited from the Nigerian Army free and comprehensive medical outreach.
The free medical outreach featured health education and awareness talk; blood pressure and blood sugar tests; distribution of insecticide treated nets to pregnant women, nursing mothers and the elderly; and eye check and eye glasses issuance.
Others are: medical consultation; free wheelchairs and clutches for the people with disability; deworming of children; oral vaccination for children; nutritional supplement for children; dental check and correction; HIV/AIDS counseling and test; free drugs and others.
Declaring the outreach open on Friday, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada, said that the free medical outreach was part of activities marking the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2024.
The GOC, who was represented by the Commander of 54 Signal Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Anthony Kubaingha, said that the Nigerian Army would be commemorating its 161 anniversary on July 6 as well as celebrating its special role in protecting the territorial integrity of the country.
Dada said that the medical outreach, approved by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, was meant to get quality medical services close to the door steps of Army’s host communities and for them to be part of the celebration and feel the army’s humanitarian services.
According to him, the outreach will strengthen civil-military relations and for the people to know and feel in all ramifications that the Nigerian Army is their Army and will always stand with them.
“We are here with full complement of our health services and hospital staff as well as free drugs, all sorts of medical services, medical consultation and consumables to ensure that our civilian brothers and sisters as well as elders are attended to on time and comprehensively.
“Where the ailment being diagnosed is beyond what can be taken care of here, we make immediately referral to the Divisional Hospital to ensure that healthcare of the members of this community are strengthened,” he said.
Earlier, the Traditional Ruler of Mbulujodo Kingdom, Igwe Gabriel Okoh, appreciated the Nigerian Army, the COAS and the GOC for “a great gesture meant to see that all my subjects are healthy to contribute to the development of the community, Enugu State and the country at large.”
Okoh, who is also the Ochi-Oha II of Mbulujodo Kingdom, noted that “the Nigerian Army remains exceptional and people-centred in its health and educational services and that is why more Nigerians patronise these services not minding the distance.”
“We are grateful for the gesture and love the Nigerian Army has shown us today. My people cannot easily quantify all you did for us today. We say thank you,” he said.
Speaking, Lt.-Col. Adeyemi Abolade, Commander, 82 Division Medical Services and Hospital, said that the prevailing illnesses diagnosed in the exercise among the residents include malaria, upper respiratory track infections and malnutrition among children.
Abolade noted that the exercise was well-organised with full complement of health staff and doctors; free drugs and lots of other medical consumables meant to take care of at least 2,000 residents.
“I laud my COAS and GOC for making it possible to bring this free and comprehensive medical outreach to this community. I thank the staff of the medical services and hospital for the hard work they have put in today,” he said.
Responding, one of the beneficiaries, Pa Chima Ezioko, who got free insecticide treated net and malaria drugs, thanked the Army and its medical team for the gesture.
“With this net and malaria drugs, I know the days of my frequent malaria fever is over. I will be stronger now,” Ezioko said.
Another beneficiary, Mrs Veronica Onyenwe, appreciated the Nigerian Army for the free drugs and nutritional supplements given to her sick daughter, adding, “the Nigerian Army have lifted a huge medical and financial burden from me and my family.”
