NAF commences Surgery Scheme for IDPs

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has commenced a surgical intervention scheme for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the IDP camps at Bama, Dalori and Banki, in Borno State. The need for the surgical intervention scheme became apparent in the course of a recent series of medical outreach programmes organised by the NAF in those camps where about 500 cases requiring remedial surgery were diagnosed. The surgical intervention scheme covers general surgeries, obstetrics, gynaecology and ophthalmology.

The first set of surgeries, with eye surgeries being the most prevalent, was performed at the Medical Centre of the NAF’s 105 Composite Group in Maiduguri on 8 July 2017. The surgery scheme, and the health outreaches in general are part of the strategic use of soft power by the NAF to combat the insurgency by winning the hearts and minds of IDPs who were displaced from their ancestral homes by the conflict. The aim of this approach is to complement the military campaign with soft power on the ground in order to give the vulnerable and affected population a sense of belonging. This strategy has seen the Air Force organise medical outreach programmes in many IDP camps in the North East, establish emergency hospitals in IDP camps, provide surgical interventions to tackle surgery-related cases in IDP camps and provide meals to primary school pupils in Dalori and Bama IDP camps.

According to the NAF Chief of Medical Services, Air Vice Marshal Saleh Shinkafi, the surgical intervention scheme was part of the NAF’s humanitarian service to the IDPs towards providing them with the opportunity to have normal and productive lives again.

He disclosed that about 300 surgical cases were initially outlined for the 7-day programme, which is expected to cover 100 IDPs each from Dalori, Bama and Banki IDP camps. However, there were indications that up to 250 IDPs in Banki alone required surgical interventions and the period of the exercise might be extended to cater for the additional needs.

Lardin Gabas calls on PCNI for infrastructure development in the NE. Lardin Gabas, a group of eminent elder statesmen from the North East region, have called on PCNI to expedite action on rebuilding, destroyed infrastructure in the North East. Captain Paul Tahir had led the eminent group to the PCNI headquarters in Abuja where they were received by the Vice Chairman of the PCNI Tijjani M Tumsah. Architect Paterson M. Bawa who spoke on behalf of the delegation commended the federal government for setting up the PCNI and also alluded to the need to begin the process of healing and transitional justice to enhance the peaceful assimilation of returnees. The group appealed to the PCNI to demine farms and ensure that rehabilitation of towns and villages are done in an equitable manner. Tumsah further explained the plans of the PCNI which includes not only building back better – erecting structures better than what previously existed – and also coalescing settlements into sustainable communities in order to protect and secure them better.