No fewer than 3,000 people benefitted from free medical outreach undertaken by the 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army Calabar in support of `Operation Crocodile Smile.’
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, made the disclosure on Monday in Calabar while inaugurating the medical outreach.
He said that the free medical outreach was in support of the ongoing `Operation Crocodile Smile’ in the Niger Delta region.
Buratai, who was represented by Brig.-Gen. Bulama Biu, Commander, 13 Brigade, Nigerian Army Calabar, said that the exercise was also to foster the existing civil-military relationship in the state.
He said that the Nigerian Army decided to carry out the exercise because of the importance of good health to humanity.
“As a way to support the ongoing operation crocodile smile in the Niger Delta region, the Nigerian Army in its magnanimity decided to offer this free medical outreach to residents of Calabar South.
“The Nigerian Army should not only be heard during warfare; we also owe it a duty to provide some humanitarian service to our host communities.
“ Residents here today would be tested for malaria, blood pressure, hepatitis, typhoid, fever and others; while drugs would equally be administered to them.
“We also have foodstuffs here to distribute to the residents. We will continue to maintain the peaceful relationship we have established over the years,’’ he said.
The Army Chief called on residents of the area to always avail the Army with timely and useful information that would help to curb crimes in the area.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Inyang Asibong, said that the free medical service would go a long way in adding value to the health of the people.
One of the beneficiaries, 67 years-old Mrs Eme Akan, who was tested and given, drugs for Malaria, thanked the Nigerian Army for the kind gesture. (NAN)
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