By Francis Sadhere
The Nigeria Army, 3 Battalion, Effurun, Delta State has provided free medical health care services to communities in Ekpan and Effurun, both in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, in line with the Directive of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Baratai.
Kicks-starting the free Medical Health Care Services at Ekpan Secondary School, the Commander, 3 Battalion, Effurun, Lt. Col. Okon Bassey said the gesture by the Nigerian Army to provide free health care services to members of the communities was also in commemoration of Nigerias 55th Independence Anniversary Celebration.
Lt. Col. Bassey said: I also want to say that this is in line with the chief of Army Staff vision, which is to build a Nigeria Army that is professionally responsive in the discharge of its constitutional role. We are here this morning to improve the relationship with the populace.
He said that apart from protecting the citizens of the country, the army also have shown through this programme that it has a human face and can also save lives too, adding that the Army has a civil Affairs Department that relates with the people they serve.
He said: We have mobile clinics that are meant for this kind of programmes. We do this to show that we also have human feelings. It is not all about carrying gun, but we have to carry guns because we have to keep peace. Today in Delta State, you can attest to the fact that there is relative peace in the State. When you guys are sleeping we are busy ensuring that you are safe.
We are bringing the free medical services to our communities in line with the Chief of Army Staff vision. In carrying out our constitutional role, which is to preserve the integrity of the nation, we also have to deal with the civil populace in such a way that they will feel that we are actually here for them. It is not just about carrying guns. We also have a touch of humanity in us, and this is one of the ways to show it,
We are here in Ekpan today and subsequently we are going to move to other communities as our resources can carry. This free special medical service is especially meant for the women, the elderly and the children. The Chief of Army Staff has given us this directive so that the people will see that we are doing our jobs as professionals. We have professional personnel in the Nigerian Military who are Doctors, Laboratory Scientist and a host of others. So, once in a while we do come out not only to take care of the security issues, but also their personal issues too, Lt. Col. Bassey said.
Lt. Col. Bassey said there has been relative peace in Warri and its environs since he assumed office, calling on the communities to always cooperate with the Army and other security agents by ensuring that they provide useful inform to them.
While urging members of the public to come out and avail themselves of this opportunity, Lt. Col. Bassey said the free medical Healthcare services will last for four days.
Speaking to our correspondent, the Principal of Ekpan Secondary School, Mrs. Otejiro Oru, one of the beneficiaries of the free medical program, expressed happiness on the development, saying it is a laudable project coming from the Army because civilians have never seen the Army doing this kind of thing.
“We want them to continue doing this because as you can see, the whole place is full with people who are here because of one medical problem or the other. This is an opportunity for me and others people to see the doctor, explain one or two things to him and also take some advice from him. Most time we do not usually have the opportunity to see the doctor when we are not sick. So I will say a big thank you the Chief of Army Staff who brought this vision to fruition, Mrs. Oru said.
