The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has flagged off a 2-day Medical Outreach Programme at Gwallaga Community in Bauchi State.
The Outreach, which commenced today, 5 April 2019, is expected to provide health education and counseling, laboratory screening, visual acuity checks and free prescription glasses, dental health services as well as clinical services, minor surgeries and free medications to about 3,000 members of the Community.
The Programme, which is an initiative of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, is part of the humanitarian activities embarked upon by the NAF to enhance civil-military relations whilst providing succour to host communities and ‘winning their hearts and minds’.
Speaking while flagging-off the Outreach, the Air Officer Commanding Special Operations Command (AOC SOC), Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Napoleon Bali, who was represented by the Chief of Staff SOC, AVM Aliyu Bello, reaffirmed the commitment of the NAF to continue providing qualitative healthcare and humanitarian services to host communities and Internally Displaced Persons across the country in order to reduce the burden of preventable diseases and improve the overall well-being of inhabitants.
“It is expected that over 3, 000 members of the community will benefit from this outreach which was designed primarily to alleviate the suffering the people who might not be able to afford quality medical care”, he said.
He stated that patients with minor medical issues would be diagnosed and treated on the spot while those with more complex cases would be referred to the 261 NAF Reference Hospital Bauchi for further evaluation and care.
He noted that the free healthcare services would also be extended to other communities in Bauchi like Durum, Koho and Malmo in the following days.
The AOC seized the opportunity to thank the government and people of Bauchi State for their hospitality and support to the NAF.
Expressing his delight, the Mai Angwan Gwallaga, Alhaji Dan Dada Ahmadu, appreciated the leadership of the NAF for bringing succour to the people of the Community.
He also thanked the Service for its immense contributions in ensuring security in Bauchi State.