Several residents in Enugu, Rivers and Kaduna states were recipients of free malaria, eye treatment and some other healthcare services offered by the Nigerian Army to mark the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2021.
This year's NADCEL commemorates the 158th anniversary (1863–2021) of the Nigerian Army.
In Rivers state, Maj.-Gen. Sanni Mohammed, the General Officer Commanding of 6 Division inaugurated the one-day medical outreach and beneficiaries of the exercise included some elderly persons, youths and children from Afam community in Oyibo Local Government Area of the state.
Represented by the Division’s Signal Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. Edore Agbebaku, Mohammed said the army desired to render free healthcare services to the people who could not afford to treat themselves.
According to him, army personnel live among the people and also feel the impulses of the people it swear to protect.
Col. Samson Idowu, the Team Leader for the medical outreach said that residents were presented with an opportunity to check and know their health statuses.
“So, we are offering free medical consultations, laboratory investigations, eye care services and glasses, HIV counselling and testing as well as health education
“We are also offering residents free diagnosis and treatment for malaria as part of activities marking NADCEL 2021.
“Residents will also check their HIV status, blood pressure, sugar levels, height, weight and other laboratory services,” he said.
Idowu said that drugs would be given free to patients suffering from malaria, typhoid fever, diabetes and hypertension, among others.
The army officer said that correctional glasses would also be issued free to those diagnosed with visual impairments.
The Chairman of Oyibo LGA, Ugochukwu Akara, thanked the army for organising the medical outreach and urged other organisations to emulate the army.
He said that residents in the area had a negative perception about the army due to alleged high handedness of some personnel during recent military operations.
“So, this shows that the army is not only about war but also has a human face to the health needs of the people,” he added.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Felicia Uwalaka, who received screening and treatment for an undisclosed ailment, commended the army for initiating the programme.
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Another beneficiary, Mr Temple Nwankwo, expressed delight about the medical outreach and called for its sustenance.
In Enugu state, at least 2,520 residents of four communities around Enugu metropolis were beneficiaries of a similar comprehensive medical outreach.
The General Officer Commanding of the 82 Division, Enugu, Maj.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, represented by the Chief of Staff of the division, Brig.-Gen. Greg Omorogbe, said the medical outreach was meant to cement the existing relationship between the army and civil populace.
He said the organisation pays due attention to the security and wellbeing of members of its host community, which encompasses all Area of Responsibility.
“Apart from being an exercise to herald our 158th anniversary, it will generally improve Civil-Military-Cooperation meant to boost overall military-civil relations,” he said.
Lagbaja expressed the hope that the programme, which was targeted at the less privileged and indigent persons in the communities, would reduce the health burden of the beneficiaries and communities at large.
The communities included Nchatancha Nike, Obinagu Nike, Akpoga Nike and Mbulujodo Nike, all within Enugu East Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
The medical services included free consultation and treatment, free dental checks and treatment, free eye checks and eye glasses, free wheel chairs and crutches and free insecticide treated mosquito nets.
In a speech, the Chairman of the LGA, Mr Alex Ugwu, thanked the 82 Division for the great opportunity given to the people to access quality healthcare and other health consumables at no cost.
“We are sincerely grateful to the Nigerian Army for the huge amount of money it spent in putting this elaborate event together, Ugwu, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr Melitus Anike, said.
Igwe Gabriel Okoh, the Traditional Ruler of Mbulujodo Nike Community, also thanked the Nigerian Army for bringing the programme to the doorsteps of his subjects and other neighbouring communities.
“We will continue to pray for the success of the Nigerian Army and God’s guidance and protection as they defend the nation,’’ Okoh said.
Mrs Favour Akaji, who got mosquito net, expressed gratitude to the organisation for the items which, according to her, will help to protect her and her unborn baby.
“God will continue to bless the Nigerian Army and members of their families as they have decided to remember me and my unborn child today,’’ Akaji said.
A recipient of a free wheelchair, Mr Micheal Nwoye, lauded the organisation for lifting the burden of buying a modern wheelchair from him and his family.
