The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has extended its medical outreach programme to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in the Bakassi Peninsula.
The 4-day medical outreach designed to address the healthcare needs of the displaced Nigerians is targeted at over 4,000 returnees located at the Ikot-Effiom and Ekpri-Obutong IDP camps in Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross-River State.
A statement by the Director, NAF Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya said the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar was moved by the plight of the IDPs hence he directed the NAF Medical Services to conduct the medical outreach in the two camps especially for women and children in order to attend to their healthcare needs.
He said, “The first phase of the outreach programme, which was conducted between 8-9 August 2017, at the Ikot-Effiom witnessed the provision of healthcare services to about 1,500 IDPs in the camp in addition to indigenes of the host community who trooped out in large numbers to benefit from the NAF humanitarian services.
Read Also:
- Brig- Gen Usman Rtd Delivers Insightful Lecture at Air Force War College, Nigeria
- 45th Kano International Trade Fair: Badaru Urges Support for Nigerian Military to ensure Peace and Security for Economic Growth; Says Peace is Essential for National Development
- FG Pledges Enhanced Security for S-East Region; As Badaru Commends 82 Division, Insists Adequate Security Vital for Business, Prosperity
“The people were offered a wide range of free medical tests and treatment for malaria and blood pressure in addition to fasting, random sugar level and eye tests.
“Other medical checks carried out on the IDPs included those for various diseases and infections while treatment and drugs were administered freely to the patients.
“Also, treated mosquito nets were distributed to women and children.
“Those with complicated medical cases were referred to the NAF medical facilities in Calabar for secondary healthcare management”.
Meanwhile Air Commodore Adesanya disclosed that the NAF 305 Special Mobility Group in Calabar has been participating in the Joint Internal Security Operations in Cross-River State, codenamed “Operation Skolombo” whose mandate is to checkmate criminality including the protection of the IDPs.
“It is also worthy of note that the NAF has been in the forefront of providing free medical cares for IDPs and host communities of NAF Units across the nation as part of its corporate social responsibilities, notably in the North East, South-West, South-East and now the South-South” he said.
END
