NAF provides free medical services to1,000 people in Borno
By Ladi Dapson
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has rendered free medical services to at least 1000 vulnerable people in Konduga Local Government area of Borno State.
Speaking during the event in Maiduguri on Saturday, the Commander, 105 Composite Group of NAF Base, Maiduguri, Air Commodore Caleb Olayera, said the outreach, which is part of activities lined up to mark the 60th anniversary of the NAF, covered children, pregnant women and the elderly in Gomari community the suburbs of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
He said the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, is committed to transforming the NAF into an agile and resilient force to effectively meet the air-power demand of national security in all operational units in the country.
He added that the NAF in its efforts to combating terrorism has engaged in non-kinetic approach to win the heart and minds of the citizens
“Not fewer than 1,000 persons were treated for malaria, diabetes, hypertension, typhoid fever and ulcer. We also provided free dental treatment, health talk on personal hygiene, environmental sanitation, as well as the distribution of insecticide treated mosquito nets to expectant mothers.
“The medical outreach is a form of NAF corporate social responsibility. We believe that it would strengthen the cooperation and bond between the host community and the NAF Base Maiduguri.”Olayera maintained.
Olayera noted that children have been dewormed and free eye tests and glasses were provided for elderly people after cross-examination by the medical team, while blood sugar tests were also conducted on the beneficiaries.
In his remark also the Ward Head of Ngomari community, Bulama Alhaji Kolo appreciated the Nigeria Air Force for the kind gesture, saying those who benefited are mostly vulnerable people and victims of insurgency conflicts.
He said that the gesture is an indication that there is a good relationship between the civilians and the military, adding that with the current economic situation in the country this would surely reduce the burden already overstretched people in the communities.
One of the beneficiaries, Unice Adediran thanked the NAF for the opportunity given to them to access free medical care.
She however called on other organisations, individuals to emulate such gestures of the Nigeria Air Force free medical outreach.
