No fewer than 405 residents of Emene community in Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State on Wednesday, benefitted from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) comprehensive and free medical outreach.
The medical outreach, which is part of activities to celebrate NAF 57th anniversary, featured medical counselling, health talks, sugar and blood pressure check, dental care, free drugs and referrals.
Flagging off the exercise, AVM Frank Oparah, Air Officer Commanding (AOC) of Ground Training Command of NAF, Enugu, said that the exercise was a deliberate effort by NAF to improve civil-military-relations efforts with the people.
Oparah, who was represented by the Chief of Staff to the Command, Air Commodore Anthony Vonumbagai, said that all services, drugs and medical referral done would be comprehensively funded by NAF.
“The medical outreach is part of the steps being taken by the current NAF leadership by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Amao, at improving healthcare delivery for host communities,’’ Oparah said.
He said that other services to be carried out included; de-worming of children; distribution of treated mosquito nets and provision of quality drugs to beneficiaries.
He, however, thanked the state, local and community leaders for mobilising the residents of Emene community for the exercise and making it “a huge success’’.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr Emmanuel Onu, appreciated NAF for the free medical attention given to him and other members of his family.
Onu, who is a civil servant with the Accident Investigative Bureau, said “this is the first time I, my family members and colleagues are receiving a comprehensive care under one roof’’.
Another beneficiary, Ma Agnes Nwoke,70, lauded NAF leadership for such an initiative and the free eye drugs and insecticide treated net given to her.
It was observed that most of those that attended the medical outreach were diagnosed of malaria; while other illnesses diagnosed were respiratory and urinary tract infections, diabetes and hypertension.
In a related development, the Nigerian Air Force Wives Association (NAFOWA) also presented gift items and undisclosed cash to children of the Guardian Angles Motherless Babies Home, Enugu.
The items presented included: bags of rice, cartons of noodles, pastas, a bag of detergent, bag of melon, bags of salt and sugar.
Speaking, the Chairperson of NAFOWA of the Command, Mrs Obigeli Oparah, said that the gesture was part of the 57th anniversary of NAF and means of reaching out to the less-privileged in the society.
“We are also encouraging those taking care of them to continue with their good work and to know that it is only God that can truly reward them accordingly,’’ she said.(NAN)
