By Micheal Offor
Onne (Rivers) – The Nigeria Navy in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy Officers Wives Association (NOWA) is targeting about 2,000 men, women and children in its free medical outreach aimed to prevent, detect and treat illnesses in Onne, Rivers.
The President of NOWA, Aisha Nana Gambo flagged off the exercise tagged, “Medical Rhapsody, 2022” on Tuesday in Onne, Rivers.
Gambo said the medical rhapsody was organised to mark the 66th anniversary of the Nigeria Navy and as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility to navy host communities.
She said: “To mark this year’s anniversary, NOWA reached out to communities to find out what they lacked and see how we could assist them.
“To this end, we are targeting 2,000 beneficiaries in this medical rhapsody this year.
“A total of 500 people diagnosed with poor eyesight will be issued free medical glasses; 1,000 will receive food stuffs while drugs would be administered to those with various illnesses.”
The NOWA president, who is the wife of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Awwal Gambo, said the association was also visiting orphanages across the country with donations.
Gambo said aside from carrying out humanitarian services to mark the navy’s anniversary, NOWA had done a lot to address the plights of the less privileged in the country.
She said the association had donated three boreholes to communities in Port Harcourt and Onne.
“So far, we have constructed and donated 62 boreholes in various communities in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory,” she said.
Speaking, the Coordinator of the medical outreach, Capt. Ugochi Nzeribe-Abangwu, said free consultations and free laboratory investigations would be offered.
Nzeribe-Abangwu, a surgeon, said that there would als be free screening for hepatitis, malaria, HIV, blood glucose as well as testing for COVID-19 and vaccination, among others.
“Our medical team, including ophthalmologists will check and issue corrective glasses to 500 people diagnosed with impairment.
“We also have dentists who will check for oral needs of the people as well as issue them with free toothpaste and toothbrushes,” she said.
The officer said that drugs would be given to people diagnosed with various illnesses, such as hypertension, diabetes, malaria, gastrointestinal illness like diarrhoea and skin infection.
“The drugs cut across antibiotics, analgesics, haematinics and many others for both adults and children.
“Also, mosquito treated nets will be distributed free to members of the Onne host community,” she added.
