23rd May, 2016
The Nigerian Navy has offered free medical treatment to no fewer than 500 residents of Ugep community in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River.
400 of the beneficiaries were tested and given treatment for blood pressure, diabetes, malaria and de-worming while 100 persons benefitted from the free cataract surgery.
The free medical rhapsody was part of the activities lined up to celebrate the 60th Diamond Jubilee of the Navy billed for June 1.
Rear Adm. Abubakar Yusuf, Commander, Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital, Calabar, said that the aim of the rhapsody was to offer free medical services and promote healthy living among selected communities.
According to him, the treatment is one of the gestures of the Navy in strengthening the existing civil-military relationship between the navy and the public.
“We have had a cordial relationship with this community over the years.
“We are offering them this medical service in order to strengthen that existing relationship.
“We came with all our relevant equipment for this exercise.
“Am happy that we have positively affected the health of residents in this community.
“As people get older, the number of cataract cases increases. So, we had to identify this because the surgery would be beneficial to them.
“Cataract is such a condition that the treatment is readily available with less complication and yet the benefit is enormous.
“We have identified a few other conditions here and we will take them over to Calabar for proper treatment.
“Over 100 persons have received the free cataract surgery and given eye glasses accordingly while over 400 were tested, treated and given drugs in other ailment,” he said.
Rear Adm. James Oluwole, the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, said that the treatment was a routine humanitarian service of the navy.
Represented by Commodore Tanko Pani, the Command Administrative Officer, Oluwole said that the Navy had continued to grow from strength to strength with new innovations.
Also speaking, the traditional Ruler of Ugep Community, His Royal Majesty Ofem Ubana-Eteng, expressed happiness over the free medical treatment.
“I wish to thank the Nigerian Navy for this humanitarian gesture, it is a rare one.
“Imagine the huge sum of money our people would have spent in different hospitals seeking for this treatment, but the Navy has offered this treatment free of charge,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr Eteng Obono, who received free eye surgery, thanked the Navy for correcting his sight.
“I have been suffering from eye problems for almost three years now without money to go for proper medical checkups.
“I wish to thank the Navy for this free medical treatment,” he said.