Picture showing the Commondore, the Paramount Ruler, medical officer, amongst others.
…Offers free medical services to 2,000 residents in Calabar***
The Nigerian Navy on Tuesday organized a free medical outreach for the Agudama Epie community in the Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa, to mark its 66th anniversary.
The newsmen report that June 1 every year is set aside to celebrate the Nigerian Navy Day.
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Members of the community were offered free eye test and reading glasses, HIV and dental checks, drugs and laboratory investigations, among other medical services.
Rear Adm. Idi Abbas, the Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command, said the gesture was to enhance the existing positive relationship with the Navy’s host communities.
He said that the intervention was a directive by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo, as part of activities to mark the Navy’s 66th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by Commodore Clement Atebi, Chief Staff Officer, Central Naval Command, added that the services offered by the Navy included malaria treatment and blood sugar tests, among others.
He said that the initiative was one of the ways through which the navy reached out to the poor and the needy in society.
“The Nigerian navy is using this opportunity to fulfill and carry out its corporate social responsibility to the people in marking her anniversary celebration.
“Our objective is to render free medical service to the poor and the needy in the society,” he added.
Gospel Aputapu, the Paramount Ruler of Agudama Epie, lauded the Nigerian Navy for its services to his people.
He urged the Navy to reserve some slots for the community during its recruitment of personnel and offer its support in securing the community.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr Emmanuel Otavie, 70, who was screened and given free eyeglasses, lauded the Navy for the medical outreach.
Also, Mrs Eunice Senivie, 60, who was tested and given drugs for malaria, thanked the Navy for coming to the aid of the community members.
She called on corporate organizations and other security agencies to emulate the gesture by supporting the poor and needy in society.
In the same vein, the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital, Calabar, on Tuesday offered free medical services to no fewer than 2,000 residents in Calabar, the newsmen report.
Newsmen report that the medical rhapsody was held at Kasuk Qua Clan community in Calabar Municipality.
Rear Adm. Ibrahim Dewu, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Eastern Naval Command, Calabar, who inaugurated the medical rhapsody, said it was part of the activities lined up to celebrate the Navy 66th anniversary celebration.
Dewu, who was represented by Commodore Martins Fakrogha, the Administrative Officer of the Command, said that the Navy was committed to improving the health status of members of its host community.
According to him, the medical rhapsody will also strengthen the existing civil-military relationship between the Navy and its host communities.
He explained that anyone discovered to have a serious ailment would be referred to the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital for consultation.
“The Nigerian Navy is carrying out this medical rhapsody in this community because we are committed to improving the healthcare of our host communities.
“From today’s gesture, we are expecting to have about 2,000 beneficiaries.
“We are rendering free medical consultations, eye checks and distribution of glasses, dental checks, laboratory services, free drugs, blood sugar test, hepatitis test, distribution of mosquito nets among others,” he said.
Dewu urged members of the community to always report cases of insecurity to the Navy for a prompt and timely response.
Mr Patrick Okon-Edem, Clan Head of the benefiting community, while speaking thanked the Navy for always carrying them along in their activities.
Okon-Edem, who said that the medical rhapsody had come to improve the health of members of the community called on other security agencies and corporate organizations to emulate the Navy.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr Paul Asuquo, 62, who got free eyeglasses after the screening, thanked the Navy for its humanitarian services.
Also, a nursing mother, Ms Angela Ita, 34, who got free drugs and a mosquito net, commended the Navy for the free healthcare service.