No fewer than 2,000 residents of Warri South on Monday benefited from the medical outreach organised by the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta.
The event, held at the Warri South Local Government Secretariat Annex, was to mark the 68th anniversary of the Nigerian Navy (NN).
Beneficiaries of the medical outreach comprised youth and adults from Ubeji, Ugbuwangue, Igbudu, Okumagba, Agbasa and other neighbouring communities of the local government area.
The Commander, NNS Delta, Commodore Abba Muhsin, said the exercise was held as directed by the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.
“To commemorate this milestone, the Nigerian Navy, in fulfilment of its commitment and social responsibility to her host communities, is organising a Medical Rhapsody as part of the anniversary celebration,” he said.
Muhsin said the essence of the outreach was to help the people within its host communities as part of the mandate of the NN.
Muhsin said the medical outreach involved reaching out and rendering free medical services to selected communities by specialist medical personnel of the NN.
“We want the local communities to feel that they are part of us as much as we are part of them.
“The beneficiaries of this medical outreach are usually communities in the host local government area, which is Warri South.
“Warri South has been chosen as the beneficiary of this medical outreach and our choice is not influenced by any other factor but purely on humanitarian,” he said.
He said the exercise comprised free medical checks, blood pressure checks, consultation and treatment, dental, eyes check, sugar tests, and laboratory tests.
Muhsin said the NN was committed to the well-being of the people and urged them to always visit the Nigerian Navy Hospital in Effurun for medical attention.
“We have for long identified with you as being part of us and we as part of the larger society,” he said.
The commander urged the people to join the Navy in its bid to make the society safe and conducive for everyone.
Muhsin expressed joy at the reception and the turnout of people for the exercise, noting it would encourage the navy to do more.
He assured that beyond the anniversary, the NN would continue to identify with the people.
In his remark, Chief Eyituoyo Awani, who spoke on behalf of the communities, thanked the NN for the gesture.
Awani described the outreach as a “legacy programme”, considering the high cost of executing health programmes in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a public health talk on hypertension was held as delivered by a medical practitioner of the NN.
Drugs were also distributed to beneficiaries at no cost.
