Rivers Residents Benefit From Army’s Free Malaria, Eye Treatment

Several residents in Rivers State on Monday benefited from free malaria, eye treatments and some other healthcare services  offered by the Nigerian Army, 6 Division, Port Harcourt.
Among beneficiaries of the exercise were some elderly persons, youths and children from Afam Community in Oyibo Local Government Area of the state.
The General Officer Commanding of 6 Division, Maj.-Gen. Sanni Mohammed, inaugurated the one-day medical outreach as part of activities to mark the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2021.
Represented by the division’s Signal Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. Edore Agbebaku, Mohammed said the army desired to render free healthcare services to the people who could not afford to treat themselves.
According to him, army personnel live among the people and also feel the impulses of the people it swear to protect.
The Team Leader for the medical outreach Col. Samson Idowu, said that residents were presented with an opportunity to check and know their health status
“So, we are offering free medical consultations, laboratory investigations, eye care services and glasses, HIV counselling and testing as well as health education.
 ”We are also offering residents free diagnosis and treatment for malaria as part of activities marking NADCEL 2021.
“Residents will also check their HIV status, blood pressure, sugar levels, height, weight and other laboratory services,” he said.
Idowu said that drugs would be given free to patients suffering from malaria, typhoid fever, diabetes and hypertension, among others.
The army officer said that correctional glasses would also be issued free to those diagnosed with visual impairments.
The Chairman of Oyibo LGA, Ugochukwu Akara, thanked the army for organising the medical outreach and urged other organisations to emulate the army.
He said that residents in the area had a negative perception about the army due to alleged high handedness of some personnel during recent military operations.
“So, this shows that the army is not only about war but also has a human face to the health needs of the people,” he added.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Felicia Uwalaka, who received screening and treatment for an undisclosed ailment, commended the army for initiating the programme.
Another beneficiary, Mr Temple Nwankwo, expressed delight about the medical outreach and called for its sustenance.