No fewer than 2,520 residents of Nchatancha Nike, Obinagu Nike, Akpoga Nike and Mbulujodo Nike communities in Enugu East Council of Enugu State have benefited from the Nigerian Army’s free and comprehensive medical outreach.
The mission provided free consultation, dental checks and treatment, eye checks and eyeglasses, wheelchairs and crutches, as well as insecticide treated mosquito nets.
General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, said the exercise was meant to cement the relationship between the Nigerian Army and civil populace.
Lagbaja, who was represented by the Chief of Staff of the Division, Brig.-Gen. Greg Omorogbe, said the exercise was part of activities planned to commemorate the 158th anniversary of the Nigerian Army.
He said the Nigerian Army would pay due attention to the security and health of members of its host community, which encompasses all Areas of Responsibility (AOR).
“Apart from being an exercise to herald our 158th anniversary, it will improve Civil-Military-Cooperation (CIMIC) meant to boost overall military-civil relations.
“The free and comprehensive healthcare services targets all, but especially the indigent and less-privileged members of the communities. We hope that the intervention will reduce the health burden of the beneficiaries and communities,” he said.
Responding, Chairman of Enugu East Council, Alex Ugwu, commended the Army for the opportunity offered the people to access free quality healthcare and other health consumables.
Ugwu, who was represented by the Vice Chairman of the council, Melitus Anike, said: “We are grateful to the Nigerian Army for the money spent in putting this elaborate medical outreach together.”
On his part, traditional ruler of Mbulujodo Nike Community, Igwe Gabriel Okoh, thanked the Nigerian Army for the free medical service to his subjects and other neighbouring communities.
“We will continue to pray for the success of the Nigerian Army for God’s guidance and protection in its efforts to defend our people security-wise and health-wise,” he said.
A beneficiary of insecticide treated mosquito net, Mrs. Favour Akaji, applauded the Nigerian Army for the net and other medical consumables meant to protect her and her unborn baby.
Also, recipient of a free wheelchair, Michael Nwoye, thanked the Nigerian Army for lifting the burden of buying a modern wheelchair for him and his family.
The exercise featured an elaborate health counseling and how to prepare health diets from local sources to treat malaria, typhoid and diarrhea, among others, being the prevalent health issues people were diagnosed with.
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