The 32 Artillery Brigade, Nigerian Army has offered free medical services to residents of Erinje community in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The medical services rendered during the exercise included free medical consultation, free laboratory investigation, HIV counselling and test, malaria prevention and treatment, prostrate health awareness, DM/Neuropathic screening and breast cancer awareness.
On the exercise which was held on Saturday, the Commander of the Brigade, Brigadier General Muktar Adamu, said it was part of the civil-military cooperation programme of the ongoing exercise ‘Still Waters III 2023’
Represented by the Chief of Staff, 32 Artillery Bridage, Lt. Colonel Adamu Ardo, the brigade commander explained that the free medical outreach was aimed at ensuring that the people of the community are given adequate security.
He said, “I am delighted to be here today to represent our commander at this medical outreach marking a major milestone in our health delivery system. As we are all aware, the healthcare system is not just a responsibility of the government alone but that of everyone and that is why we have key-in to the government efforts at bringing healthcare services closer to the people.
“This is a very important activity. Today, we came with doctors and nurses to offer medical services to the Erinje community ranging from general consultation, drug dispensing, eye services, BP tests, and malaria/typhoid amongst others medical services.
“This medical outreach is part of our efforts to strengthen our relationship with the community and I will appeal to them to continue to give support and cooperation to the Nigerian Army. They should report any criminal activities to us so that the Nigerian Army will take necessary action so that our community and society will be at peace.”
Speaking on behalf of the community, the monarch of the community, Olarele Akinmoye, commended the Army for the gesture, saying it would further foster the relationship between the community and the army.
“Our people are happy for this kind gesture and I think the greatest gift anybody can give one another is a medical gift. So we thank them for that and I will advise my people to take their health very seriously because when you have an organization like the Nigerian Army coming to conduct an event like this you will know that it is a credible one.
“While I will also advise our government to continue to render its responsibility, we need something like this from time to time to help the people. We need organizations to come around to check on the health of the people because this is one of the greatest things we can render to ourselves in this country”, the monarch said.
