Flood: NAF deploys medical personnel to assist victims in Bayelsa

THE Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has deployed medical personnel from its headquarters in Abuja to give medical aid to treatment persons displaced by the ravaging flood taking shelter in different Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Bayelsa State.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadiq Abubakar who spoke through the Air Officer Commanding NAF mobility command, Air Vice Marshall Nopoli Bali, disclosed this on Thursday in Yenagoa while flagging off a five-day free medical outreach for flood victims at the IDP camp in Igbogene, Bayelsa State.

Abubakar explained that the initiative from the Nigerian Air Force is being carried out all over the country to assuage the suffering of persons displaced by the flood in different parts of the country and also help in the treatment of those who might have contacted some diseases associated by flood.

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He said: “This medical outreach is in line with NAF’s corporate social responsibility and is designed to help in uplifting the unhealthy condition of flood victims in Bayelsa State, who must have contacted some diseases associated with flood disasters, such as malaria, typhoid fever and other diseases.”

“The free medical outreach will feature eyes test, glucose test, blood pressure, malaria and other medical operations and drugs administered to them.” He said.

He employed the victims of the ravaging flood in the state to avail themselves of the opportunity and appreciated Governor Seriake Dickson for approving the free medical outreach for the flood displaced persons in the state.

The chairman of Bayelsa State Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Mr Aziowa Ayii, expressed happiness on the gesture of the Nigerian Air Force for the flood victims in the state, nothing that many persons have already been displaced by the disaster.

He called on other government agencies and public-spirited persons to also help in alleviating the plights of the victims, noting that the state government have already taken some measures to ensure that no life is lost during the disaster.

One of the victims, Mrs Comfort Ikpobo, an aged woman, commended the effort of the Nigerian Air Force, adding that before they were evacuated from their houses, which was submerged by the flood, they had lost all their property.

About 150,000 persons have been displaced by the flood in Bayelsa State according to the data from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).