Air Force offers free medical care to Enugu community

OVER 300 residents of Umuchigbo Community in Nike Kingdom of Enugu State benefited on Monday from a free medical outreach of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Enugu.

The outreach packages included HIV/AIDS test and awareness campaign; blood and sugar levels check; malaria and hepatitis tests; oral and dental test; free drugs, free mosquitoes treated net etc.

The Commander of 155 Base Services Group of NAF, Enugu, Commodore Paul Masiyer, told newsmen that the exercise was part of the corporate social responsibility of the Nigeria Air Force towards their host communities.

Masiyer said that the exercise was monthly; adding that most communities in Nike kingdom and other parts of Enugu State also benefited from the exercise.

He said that the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, had mandated NAF formations to know and interact in a cordial manner with their host and other communities in their domain.

“So, the medical outreach is NAF’s way to show appreciation as well as identify with our host communities, neighbours and the general public in order to shoulder their health responsibility.

“Through this, we are building a long lasting bond between the NAF and all these communities around us,’’ he said.

He said that services provided during the medical outreach were free while some other light, but prolonged cases would be referred to the 155 Base Services Group Medical Centre, Enugu.

Responding, the traditional ruler of Nike Kingdom, Igwe Julius Nnaji, lauded NAF for the medical outreach.

“I can tell you without fear of contradiction that the Nigeria Air Force had been so nice to this kingdom.

“We have never had cause to and we have no cause to regret having them as our neighbours,’’ Nnaji said.

The executive chairman of Umuchigbo community, Chief Francis Anike, thanked NAF for bringing healthcare to the less privileged and the elderly people in his community.

“The community will continue to pray for positive things to continue to happen to the Nigeria Air Force and its personnel for this wonderful gesture,’’ Anike said.

A beneficiary of the outreach, Mama Veronica Okafor, thanked NAF medical team for the free drugs and mosquito treated net given to her.

“For over three months, I have been lying in my bed sick without anyone to come to my rescue. But today, I have been given free drugs, mosquito treated nets and medical advise.

“I am the most grateful and touched by this free medical outreach,’’ Okafor said.