Army offer free medical services in Lagos, other states

By Chioma Joseph, Lagos

In commemoration of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2019, the Nigerian Army on Wednesday engaged in a massive medical outreach across the nation.

In Lagos, the army offered medical services to four communities of Sura in Isale Eko, Ajegunle in Ajeromi Ifelodun, Tradefair in Ojo area and Ajegunle at Ikorodu Road.

On the spot assessment of the venues of the medical outreach in Lagos showed that over 1, 000 children, youth and the elderly benefited from the exercise which included free eye tests, dental care, laboratory services, the distribution of mosquito nets and drugs.

Speaking during the outreach, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai said the outreach was a way of improving civil-military relations.

Buratai, who was represented by the Corps Commander Artillery, Maj.-Gen. Usman Yakubu, said aside from securing the nation, the army is also interested in the well-being of all Nigerians.

He said that “the outreach is meant to extend our medical services to communities. The medical services offered is been replicated in all local governments where there are military barracks. We are part of the communities and whatever we do is for the people. We also look forward to closer partnership and corporation with the communities.

“Usually, in most army barracks we have medical facilities whose services are open to the local communities. Those communities close to the barracks enjoy free medical services, however, we know that there are some communities very far from the barracks, so on a day like this, we extend some of this medical services to the communities.

“We cannot cover all the communities, so we had to select the communities that need the services the most. We selected the communities that are remote and cannot access the government health facilities or that of the army to render such services to them.”

While admonishing residents of Ajegunle community in Ikorodu Road to maintain good hygiene, he said that “we do carry out this medical service periodically, from time to time depending on the availability of resources. This area is a marshy area prone to malaria and the people need to do some clearing.

“To prevent the outbreak of malaria, we are giving out free treated mosquito nets to the pregnant women, nursing mothers and children. They need awareness to keep their environment clean.”

The acting Corps Commander, Army Medicals, Col. Samuel Adama, who also spoke briefly on the exercise, said people can access any of the medical facilities owned by the army for their medical needs.

“We are giving free treatments, free consultation, free dental care, free eye services, free treated mosquito nets, toothpaste and toothbrushes. Free counselling, health talks, HIV and malaria tests. We do outreaches like this from time to time.

“The chief of army staff is very particular about civil-military cooperation and by this outreach for instance, we improve civil-military cooperation. If the residents have any health concern, they can approach us at the closest military health facility and we will attend to them,” he added.