317 Residents of Enugu Community Benefit From Defence Headquarters Medical Outreach

No fewer than 317 indigenes of Amechi-Uno community in Enugu South Local Government Area (LGA) have benefited from a comprehensive and free medical outreach by the Defense Headquarters.

The outreach featured medical health and dietary talk, free sugar and blood pressure checks, medical consultations, free eye test, treatment and eye glasses, free dental checks, free insecticide-treated nets to nursing mothers/pregnant women and free drugs among others.

Making the symbolic presentation of two wheelchairs to two indigent physically challenged residents of the community, the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, said that defense headquarters would strengthen all its non-kinetic efforts.

Represented by a Director of Civil Military Relations, AVM Olushola Akinboyewa, the CDS said that the comprehensive medical outreach was part of a two-day Human Security and Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Workshop held at 82 Division of the Nigerian Army.

According to the defence chief, we are not only winning all forms of insurgency and terrorism but we are winning the hearts of our people and letting them see the depth and sacrifice we can make for their security and sound health.

He said, “The Nigerian military is committed to the health and general well-being of the people.

“The defence headquarters is here due to our core values of being in the forefront of humanitarian services and we are here to strength our relationship with our people especially the residents of Enugu State.

“The outreach will meet the immediate health needs and condition of the community people and will help them in the long run as they have learnt how to take care of themselves through medical health and dietary talk.”

The CDS noted that the health of Nigerians remained priceless as a healthy people and nation is a wealth people and nation, adding that all the medical services, consumables, drugs and insecticide-treated nets are free; and free referral to 82 Division Hospital.

Speaking, Lt.-Col. Adeyemi Abolade, acting Commander, 82 Division Medical Services and Hospital, Enugu, said that the major sickness diagnosed among the residents of the community are upper respiratory track infection and malaria.

Abolade, who is the medical team lead to the outreach, said that the community members had been sensitised on need to sleep under insecticide-treated nets, eat balance diet and take enough water each day.

Responding, the Traditional Ruler of Amechi-Uno community, Igwe Daniel Nnamani, thanked the CDS and defence headquarters for coming to give “wonderful free medical outreach to his subjects.”

Nnamani prayed for all the personnel of the Nigerian military for God’s protection, guidance and blessings, adding: “As you are winning ill-health among my people; you will win all security challenges facing the country.”

The Chairman of Enugu South LGA, Chief Caleb Ani, appreciated the CDS, defense headquarters and the 82 Division for strengthen security and health services in the council area.

Ani noted that it was just barely a month, the Nigerian Army through the 82 Division carried out a free medical outreach in another community in the council area, adding: “In deed, God has favoured my council area through the military”.

The chairman also presented an appreciative plaque to Maj.-Gen. Oluyemi Olatoye, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 82 Division of the Nigerian Army and Force Commander of Operation UDO KA.

One of the beneficiaries, Ma Chinelo Ogbodo, who got one of the wheelchairs, thanked the CDS and defense headquarters for the gesture, adding: “The wheelchair will definitely aid my movement and assist me to move around like others.”