The Western Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy on Friday held a medical rhapsody for people in Arumoh Community, Ajegunle Lagos.
Flagging of the programme at Nuwai-Ud-Deen Primary School Ground, Arumoh, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral YB Wambai, said the community was chosen for its social and economic relevance to national development as well as being in peaceful coexistence with the Nigerian Navy.
Admiral Wambai was represented by Commodore Edem Duke, the Command Administrative Officer.
Speaking, Commodore Duke said the programme was a tradition of the Navy in its efforts toward cordial relationship with the civilian community and serving its corporate social responsibility to society.
His words: “The Nigerian Navy has a tradition of regular reaching out to host communities as part of measures toward enhancing civil- military cooperation.
“The Nigerian Navy’s commitment to her corporate social responsibility is a key priority in the vision of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Amiral Awwal Gambo, aimed at sustaining partnership and catering for the welfare of the Nigerian Navy community. This outreach is therefore organised as part of activities to serve the Nigerian Navy corporate social responsibility objective.”
The Nigerian Navy through the Western Naval Command mobilised Obisesan Medical Centre in Ajegunle for this medical programme in Arumoh.
The medical outreach offered healthcare services including free medical consultation and treatment, free laboratory tests, eye and dental check-up and deworming of children.
Also offered were free medical items like eyeglasses, toothbrushes and toothpaste, voluntary counselling and testing of HIV/AIDS.
Duke said the Nigerian Navy remain committed to quality helathcare services offered in a secure and safe environment and that the navy’s health facilities are open to the public.
He urged people of the Arumoh community to take full advantage of this unique opportunity the medical outreach presents.
He added: “It is my Ernest desire that the medical outreach will further strengthen the long standing cordial relationship between the Nigerian Navy and the Arumoh community.”
One of the medical doctors attending to the people, Malizu Chukwudi, said the outreach was also being done to commemorate World AIDS Day, a period to enlighten people about HIV/AIDS.
Dr. Chukwudi who works at Obisesan Medical Centre, also said “The medical outreach targets to care for between 300 and 350 people within this Arumoh community.
“The medical series are free medical test; malaria testing, sugar level test for diabetes, dental check, eye test and free medical consultation and HIV testing. We will also have Covid vaccination for those who would be interested.
“We will give out toothbrush toothpaste; we have spectacles for free, and free antibiotics and anti-malaria and analgesics for old people who have arthritis. We will be deforming little children as well, since this location is a primary school.”
A beneficiary of the programme, who simply identified himself as Felix, thanked the Nigerian Navy for its kindness to have considered the community for medical care.
He said: “We appreciate the Navy for this programme. My neighbour told me about it and I am here to be attended to.
“This is a great opportunity for good medical care for the less-privilege. So, I am happy there are giving to the poor.”
