Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Over 2,000 persons have benefitted from a one-day free medical outreach organised by the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS, Pathfinder for its host community in Rumuolumeni area of Rivers State.
The outreach tagged, “Free Medical Rhapsody”, took place at the Community Secondary School, Nkpor, Rumuolumeni, Obio/Akpor local government area of the state and had persons from neighbouring communities of Elioparanwo, Mgbuosimini, Mgbuodohia and Rumueme communities as beneficiaries.
The beneficiaries received treatments for malaria, typhoid and hypertension as well as screening for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, blood pressure and blood sugar checks.
Others are eye examinations, vaccinations for children, urine tests, distribution of free medication and insecticide-treated nets, provision of free recommended glasses, free consultations, health education dental services, among others.
The Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Samson Bura, while declaring the outreach open said the medical rhapsody was conducted by the Nigerian Navy with its host communities.
Bura, represented by the Admiral Superintendent of Naval Shipyard Limited in Port Harcourt, Rear Admiral Nan-manle Damtong, described health as a key and crucial sector in government and governance
“We conduct medical rhapsodies as a means to connect with the host communities, to reach out to them. Like education, health is also a key and important sector in government and governance. That is why we are also having a very vibrant and viable medical section as a military. We also use the opportunity to reach out to the public.
“Our relationship with Rumuolumeni community as our host has been good, it has been growing and we expect it to grow stronger,” he said,
Earlier, the Commander of NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Desmond Igbo, said the outreach was part of the Navy’s corporate social responsibility for its host communities, noting that a similar exercise was conducted for the people of Opobo, in Opobo/Nkoro local government area of the state recently.
Igbo, who emphasized the importance of regular health checks said the medical rhapsody was also part of the mandate of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, to complement the government and to promote awareness and ensure healthy living of their host communities.
“For beneficiaries for the free medical rhapsody, our target is as high as 2000 because the programme will take the whole of the day; from this morning to about 6:00 pm. Even those who are not here, we are going to wait for them.
“Our medical experts are here in all shades and disciplines. We are here and will wait for them till evening. Even those that went to the farm or market, we will wait for them to return. Our target is about 2000,” Igbo stated.
He lauded the community for maintaining a cordial relationship with the Navy and advised them to do more to support them in the fight against crime and its related activities in the area and the state.
