The National Association of Seadogs (NAS), also known as Pyrates Confraternity, on Friday, organised free medical services for at least 800 residents of Orogwe Community in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the medical mission, which offered diagnosis, treatment, and essential medications to residents, was part of the activities of the association’s “49th Konverge” in Owerri.
Speaking at the Primary Healthcare Centre, Orogwe, venue of the programme, the group’s National President, Dr Joseph Oteri, said the event was NAS quarterly mission to support people in communities.
According to Oteri, the target is to provide free medical treatment for people, who ordinarily cannot access medicare, due to financial constraints, especially for non-communicable diseases.
“Since 1952, NAS was formed by seven young men, including Ralph Opara from Imo.
“The confraternity has evolved to social advocacy with missions that support mankind.
“We chose a community to offer free medicare to residents, especially the downtrodden.
“We had a child with serious issue here today.
“Luckily, we had a paediatrician who admitted her and later referred her to the Federal Medical Center, Owerri,” Oteri said.
He also said that a few other patients were referred for surgeries, adding that the association would later work out how to fund their hospital bills.
“We are happy that people came out in their numbers for this programme,” he said.
He further said that the medical mission would support the State Government’s efforts in the health sector.
He dispelled the notion about the association being a cult group, saying that it was “formed for the protection of the downtrodden as well as social advocacy for positive changes”.
Also, the group’s Chief Programme Officer, Chief Bart Akelemor, said: “The ideals of the Pirate Confraternity is to continue to promote a society where people have access to resources, medical, road, employment, among others, and our role is to continue to drive that vision of our founding fathers.
“Bringing the NAS medical mission to Orogwe is to support the State Government in meeting the medical needs of the people of the area.
“Nigeria is a nation of over 200 million people and we equally know that there is shortage of doctors, with non-functional medical facilities in most local government areas,” he said.
Akelemor further disclosed that 41 doctors from within and outside the country were on ground for the medical services, providing opportunities for the people.