Navy empowers 20,000 Rivers residents with free medical outreach

More than 2,000 persons were yesterday, beneficiaries of a one-day free medical outreach organised by the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder for its host community in the Rumuolumeni area of Rivers State.

The Navy, in an outreach tagged; “Free Medical Rhapsody” that took place at the Community Secondary School, Nkpor, Rumuolumeni, Obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State, had persons from neighbouring communities of Elioparanwo, Mgbuosimini, Mgbuodohia, and Rumueme communities as beneficiaries. 

The beneficiaries received treatments for malaria, typhoid, hypertension, screening for HIV and 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 (FOC), 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.

He said: “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 the Rumuolumeni community as our host has been good, it has been growing and we expect it to grow stronger.”

Earlier in his address, the Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder, Commodore Desmond Igbo, said the outreach was part of the Navy’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) for its host communities, and a way of giving back to the people, 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.

Also speaking, the Paramount Ruler of Kpor Kingdom, His Royal Highness, Eze Ikechi Wagbara, represented by a member of his cabinet, Chief Chikwe Nyewenwo thanked the Nigerian Navy for coming to their aid when at this critical time of the country when the cost of medication and other things are on the high side, adding that the community are grateful for the gesture.

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke with our correspondent commended the Nigerian Navy for the healthcare intervention and expressed joy, saying that their health has been restored.