By Safia Abdulrahman
The National Association of Seadogs (NAS), has provided free medical services to more than 150 residents of Karon-Majigi, a suburb of Abuja, as part of its quarterly medical outreach programme.
The outreach, held at the Karon-Majigi Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC), offered services including paediatric care, eye checks, diagnostic tests, counselling, medication and referrals.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that residents, including children and the elderly, turned out in large numbers to benefit from the exercise.
Dr Joseph Oteri, President of NAS, said the outreach was aimed at bringing quality healthcare closer to underserved communities.
“This is a medical mission organised by NAS as part of our quarterly programme.
“Whenever we visit a town, we identify a community that should benefit,” he said.
Oteri explained that the association conducts preliminary assessments to identify common illnesses in target communities before deploying medical teams and drugs.
“Before we go to a community, we carry out what we call a scoping mission to identify prevalent ailments and stock the required medication,” he said.
He called on relevant government agencies to upgrade and better equip the Karon-Majigi PHC to meet the healthcare needs of the growing population.
Oteri also commended the Minister of Health, Prof. Ali Pate, for ongoing reforms in the health sector.
He, however, stressed the need for more PHCs to reduce pressure on hospitals.
The Chief of Karon-Majigi, Mr Yunusa Bako, thanked NAS for the intervention, describing it as timely and impactful.
“What I see here today gladdens me. I am excited to see my people receiving free treatment,” he said.
He appealed to government to expand the PHC and deploy more medical personnel to the facility.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Nana Mohammed, a petty trader, expressed gratitude to the organisers after receiving treatment alongside her two children.
She appealed for the outreach to be held more frequently to enable more residents benefit. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh
