Some beneficiaries of the free media outreach organised by the 3rd Armoured Division, Nigerian Army.
By Marie-Therese Nanlong
Jos – The 3rd Armoured Division, Nigerian Army, Maxwell Khobe cantonment, Rukuba, Plateau State has organized a free medical outreach for thousands of residents in the State as part of activities to commemorate the Nigerian Army Day celebration.
Medical personnel in the Division alongside those from the State Health Management Board were on Monday mobilized to the Solomon Lar Amusement Park, Jos as residents trooped out in their numbers for their medical needs to be met.
Nigerian Army Day celebration is an annual event which was first celebrated on the 6th of July, 1978 in remembrance of the first shot on 6th, July, 1967 to mark the commencement of the nation’s 30 months civil war fought to keep Nigeria one.
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The day is celebrated annually to remind Army personnel and Nigerians that the war was an unfortunate tragedy.
Addressing the beneficiaries, the Acting General Officer Commanding, GOC, of the Division, Brig-Gen Bello Muhammad enjoined residents to feel free and interact with the medical personnel who would give them professional assistance to overcome their health challenges.
His words, “This is another way of fostering the cordial relationship existing between the Nigerian Army and the loyal citizens she is protecting. The day is designed to showcase the Nigerian Army commitment as a ready partner with the civil authority as well as peace loving and loyal citizens to maintain peace and security all over the country.
“This free medical outreach is aimed at the Nigerian Army giving back to the society in order to reduce the medical burden on the populace and put a smile on their faces…
“Our team of doctors are here to offer free medical consultation on various ailments after which medications will be provided free of charge.
“As you are aware, even the privileged ones in the society find it difficult to willingly go for medical check-ups until overcome by health challenges or forced to do so. This medical outreach will at least afford us free medical check-up which is the first step in solving our medical problems.”
Similarly, wives of the Army officers under the aegis of Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association, NAOWA also used the occasion of the day to render humanitarian assistance to wives of soldiers especially those whose husbands died in the course of duty. They also extended the gesture to orphans at the orphanage in Jebbu Bassa, the immediate community which hosts the cantonment.
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A beneficiary of the medical outreach, Victoria Ayiki appreciated the Army’s gesture saying it will afford residents the opportunity to get free treatment for their ailments.
Musa Mamman, another beneficiary also commended the Army for the initiative saying, “The economic situation is biting hard, some people don’t even have food, when will they have money to go to hospital. This is a wonderful gesture because it has given us the opportunity for us to be checked and treated. This is commendable.”
Among the services rendered included free eye checks with free eye drops and reading glasses given to those in need, free dental checks, diabetes test, malaria test, among others and pharmacists were available to dispense drugs to the beneficiaries.
