From: Segun Babatunde in Bauchi (19/05/2021)
As part of the one week activities marking the 57th anniversary of the establishment of the Nigerian Air Force(NAF), the Force has offered free medical outreach to over 2,000 poor and less privilege in Ganjuwa local government area of Bauchi state.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the outreach which took place at the Central Primary School, Kafin Madaki, the Air Commanding Officer, Special Operations Command, Bauchi, Air Vice Marshal Charles Ohwo, said the gesture is geared towards enhancing cordial coexistence and provision of access to health care delivery and other humanitarian Services to its host communities pointing out that it is in line with NAF’s culture of giving back to the community.
He expressed optimism that the gesture of NAF will go a long way in helping to improve the overall health of our people and reduce mortality from preventable diseases in our communities while also improving the overall quality of life.
He said: “This outreach is intended to provide quality and comprehensive medical care for over 2,000 persons. In the course of this one-day outreach, various medical conditions would be diagnosed and treated, while those with complex cases would be referred to the 261 Nigerian Air Force Reference Hospital,Bauchi for further evaluation and expert care.
“There would also be health
education, Counselling, Dental Screening, free medicated glasses, screening
for Hypertension, basic laboratory screening and free drugs amongst other
services.”
He re-affirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Air
Force to periodically reach out to host communities to
provide much needed preventive health services as part of its civil-military
relations and social responsibility.
In his speech, the Commissioner of Health, Bauchi state, Dr. Aliyu Maigoro who was the Guest of Honour, said that the outreach is a proof the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to caring for members of their host communities in addition to its role of securing the territorial integrity of the country and maintaining peace and stability within their area of responsibility.
“This culture of giving back to the society by the Nigerian Air Force continues to go a long way in cementing a good and cordial coexistence between Nigerian Air Force and its host communities. This will enhance operational success as it will surely win the hearts and minds of the people.”
Maigoro said that since the establishment of the Special Command in 2016, it has contributed immensely to ensuring the socioeconomic development of the state through the provision of prompt response to insecurity issues, providing quality education that has taken over 500 previously disadvantaged children out of illiteracy and world-class but extremely cheap healthcare. END