As part of activities to celebrate its 69th anniversary, the Nigerian Navy (NN) has extended free medical services to people who cannot afford same within highbrow Victoria Island and Okokomaiko, Lagos.
The medical outreaches which commenced on Monday morning at Saka Tinubu and Ajangbadi areas of the state were organised by the Naval Dockyard Limited (NDL), and the Western Naval Command (WNC).
Flagging off the exercise, the Admiral Superintendent, NDL, Rear Admiral Ibrahim Shehu, said the initiative was in line with the navy’s commitment to humanitarian efforts and improved public health.
He said the medical outreach was being done simultaneously by various commands and units across the country, adding that it was directed by the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla.
Services rendered included blood tests to check for common illnesses, eye screening, provision of eyeglasses, checking of blood pressure and provision of some drugs for basic treatment.
“One of the missions of the CNS is to ensure that we reach out to our hosts and surrounding communities, to show goodwill and build good relationships with members of the public.
“In this regard, medical outreach enables us to provide basic medical services, and if need be, referrals are necessary that will be handled by medical personnel.
“This will enable them provide sufficient service to those that patronise the outreach.
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“It is a completely free medical outreach which enables us to build strong community relations between the Nigerian Navy, and the surrounding general public.
“We from the Naval Dockyard are privileged at this time to support the programmes aimed at this year’s Navy Week to boost our medical outreach here in Victoria Island,” he said.
Shehu said that in 2024 the outreach was conducted around the environs of the Oniru Palace but it was stretched further to support those that came to provide services for the residents.
The Nation reports that about 500 persons benefitted from the free medical services.
Similarly, residents of Ajangbadi, both old and young trooped out to participate in the free medical outreach conducted by the Western Naval Command in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital (NNRH) Ojo and the Naval Officers’ Wives Association (NOWA).
Aside the free consultations, issuance of drugs and referrals were necessary, the Navy held a health education session where residents were taught basic hygiene and how to promote better health practices.
The outreach aimed to enhance civil-military relations and contribute to the overall well-being of underserved populations.
The Baale of Ajangbadi, Chief Wahab Hassan, conveyed the community’s gratitude, describing the initiative as a timely and much-needed intervention that effectively addressed long-standing health challenges in the area.