WHEN the Nigerian Army in the month declared a week activity to launch what they christened “Exercise Python Dance, there were mixed reactions as to the genuine intention of the military authority.
To many residents of Enugu and its environs, it was a period the army also set-aside to rekindle spirit of cooperation between them and members of the public in Igboland.
For instance, the medical team of the 82 Division Nigerian Army, last week offered free medical services to selected communities in the South-east geo-political zone.
The Nigerian Tribunewhich was in entourage of the medical team observed that the team was under the leadership of the Acting Commander 82 Division Hospital Colonel Olufunke Kayode.
Speaking to journalists at Nsukka last Wednesday, the Garrison Commander 82 Division Brigadier General Olufemi Akinjobi said he was at the Nsukka Centre to supervise the event, stressing, “The generous medical outreach was conducted in Okposi, Nsukka and Obinze Communities of Anambra, Enugu and Imo States. Identified communities of Ohafia and Azia in Abia and Ebonyi States are also to benefit from the exercise.
Brigadier-General Akinjobi who was accompanied by Deputy Director, Army Relations, Colonel Sagir Musa, recalled that the provision of free medical services to select localities of the South-east was part of the Exercise Python Dance’s comprehensive Civil Military Relations Line of Operations.
“The main objective is to cement the existing cordial relationship between the benefiting communities (States) and the Nigerian Army.
”Generally, the conduct of the medical outreach exercise appears successful in view of the large turnout of patients at the event. At Obinze and Nsukka – where I visited, about 1,500 people turned out for the exercise.
”The medical team assembled a total number of 42 medical staff, comprising 12 qualified doctors (including NYSC elements serving in 82 Division hospital), 15 nurses, 5 dental specialists, 5 laboratory staff and 5 counseling staff.
“The team provided services such as immunization against Polio, Hepatitis and Tetanus to some of the participants. Similarly, a large number of participants conducted malaria, blood sugar and HIV tests. Proper medical counseling was equally given to those affected. Scaling, polishing and extraction of teeth were done to those with requisite dental problems.
“You saw the nursing section of the medical outreach was busy measuring patients’ body temperature, blood pressure and weight. Anti hypertensive, diabetic and malaria drugs as well as de-worming tablets and eye glasses were also freely given to the participants. Mosquito nets were offered to babies and pregnant women at the event”, he concluded.
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