Abuja: The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has offered free medical services to over 11,000 residents of Mbaise and adjoining communities in Imo under its Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) programme.
This is contained in a statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame in Abuja on Thursday.
Ejodame said the outreach, held in collaboration with Nwagwu’s Health Initiative, featured 11,231 consultations, 846 life-changing surgeries, and the distribution of over 1,300 eyeglasses, walking aids, and crutches to persons with disabilities.
According to him, breakdown of the medical intervention showed 63 thyroidectomies, 118 gynaecological cases, 434 general surgeries and 331 eye surgeries, in addition to 9,054 general and 2,177 eye consultations.
He added that health education sessions were also held on hygiene, maternal health and preventive care.
In his remarks, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, said the exercise was designed to bridge the gap between the military and civilians while easing the health burden of underserved populations.
Abubakar said the NAF was committed to alleviating the sufferings of the people, particularly in remote communities, beyond its core mandate of defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
He pledged to sustain similar outreach programmes across the country as part of NAF’s drive to strengthen trust and unity with the civilian population.
“This outreach is a testament to our philosophy of putting people first, while also bridging the gap between the military and the civilian population,” he said.
The Chief of Civil-Military Relations, AVM Ibikunle Daramola, described the programme as a strategic tool for national development.
According to him, every cataract restored, every hernia repaired, every life touched demonstrates that the NAF is more than a fighting force; it is a compassionate partner in nation-building.
The Project Coordinator, AVM Uche Nwagwu, commended the collaboration between NAF and local stakeholders, noting that the success of the exercise was the result of joint efforts.
