By Kenneth Onuoha
365Daily – No fewer than four hundred and five residents of Emene community in Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State have benefitted from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) comprehensive and free medical outreach.
The medical outreach was held on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 as part of activities to celebrate NAF 57th anniversary.
It featured medical counselling, health talks, sugar and blood pressure checks, dental care, free drugs and referrals.
Flagging off the exercise, Air Officer Commanding (AOC) of Ground training Command of NAF, Enugu, AVM Frank Oparah, said the exercise was a deliberate effort by NAF to improve civil-military-relations with the people.
Oparah, who was represented by Air Commodore Anthony Vonumbagai, said all services, drugs and medical referrals done would be comprehensively funded by NAF.
“The medical outreach is part of steps being taken by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Amao, at improving healthcare delivery for host communities,’’ Oparah said.
The AOC said other services to be carried out include de-worming of children; distribution of treated mosquito nets and provision of quality drugs to beneficiaries.
He 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 he and his “family members and colleagues are receiving 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 with malaria; while other illnesses diagnosed are 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 Angels Motherless Babies Home, Enugu.
The items presented included bags of rice, cartons of noodles, pastas, a bag of detergent, bags of melon, bags of salt, sugar etc.
Speaking, the Chairperson of NAFOWA of the Command, Mrs Obigeli Oparah, said the gesture was part of the 57th anniversary of NAF and a means of reaching out to the less privileged in the society.
She said: “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.