Nigeria Air Force on Thursday says it has embarked on
a two-week free surgical treatment for persons displaced by Boko Haram insurgency in Borno.
Group Capt. Azubuike Chukwuka, the Director, Public Health and Humanitarian Services, Air Force Headquarters, stated this while inspecting the ongoing exercise at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) satellite camp, Damboa in Damboa Local Government Area of the state.
Chukwuka explained that the exercise would be conducted between Feb. 17 and March 2; adding that free eye treatment and general surgery would be provided to the displaced persons.
He said the exercise was part of NAF’s medical intervention designed to enhance conditions of displaced persons in the country.
He added that Air Force had deployed medical team to Damboa, comprising surgeons, ophthalmologists, physicians, anaesthetics and optometrists to facilitate smooth conduct of the exercise.
He noted that “the mission is to engage in humanitarian services to alleviate the sufferings of displaced persons because of the ongoing war with Boko Haram insurgents.
“We have done about 71 eye and 38 general surgeries so far, we have screened more people to benefit from the surgery and set up temporary theatre in the camp.
“We intend to treat 50 more cataract patients and other conditions, while those with diseases such as hernia; glaucoma and any surgical case can also be addressed.”
The director said that the patients, including women and children, would be provided with free medications during the exercise.
According to him, the service has conducted similar exercises at various IDPs camps and plans to extend its outreach to other areas to improve the health condition of displaced persons in the country.
Some of the beneficiaries of the free treatment and surgical exercise lauded the gesture.
Mr Yusuf Abba, one of beneficiaries, said he was treated of cataract disease at the NAF medical centre, Damboa.
He added that “I could barely see before due to impaired vision, now that I underwent surgery, I hope to regain my sight.
“NAF came to our camp in Damboa, examined my eyes and offered treatment, including free drugs and other medications.”
Another beneficiary, Ms Fatima Abubakar, who expressed joy over the gesture, said her one-year-old son was treated of malaria at the centre.
