Army offers free medical care to Osun residents

The Commandant of the Army Depot, Brig.-Gen. Buhari Madaki, while speaking at the programme held at Light and Life School, Boredun, said the free medical outreach was aimed at rendering service to humanity.

“The Depot Osogbo is a year plus and the works is enormous but the army is dedicated to serving humanity,” Madaki said.

He stated that the health programme was part of giving back to the host communities, stressing that it would be moved around other communities in subsequent editions.

According to Madaki, who was represented by his Deputy, Col. Mathew Obi, Army Day is used to remember Nigerian soldiers who paid the supreme sacrifice during the First and Second World Wars.

He added that the day was also dedicated to honouring officers who fell during the Nigerian Civil War fought between 1967 and 1970.

Also speaking, the acting Commanding Officer, Depot Osogbo Medical Centre, Major Jonathan Edimek, explained that the medical service was to strengthen civil-military relationship with their host communities.

“It is to increase the knowledge and awareness of the communities of the presence of the Nigerian Army.” he said.

Edimek said that the medical outreach would provide the communities with free medical consultations, eye and dental services and medical examinations, among others.

He, however, said that any medical case that required additional attention would be referred to the hospitals around, Federal Medical Centers and the Nigerian Army Depot Osogbo Medical Centre.

The commanding officer said for the free health service, the medical personnel would be treating ailments related to the old and the young, including malaria and skin diseases.

He said that the medical service was open to all communities around the depot as well as those who could make their way to the venue from across the state.

In his remarks, the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdur-Raaheed Olabomi, appreciated the gesture by the Nigerian Army.

Olabomi, who was the Guest of Honour at the programme, described the medical service as one of the kinetic programmes of the military.

According to him, the army provides more than security service to the people.

He encouraged his subjects to make full use of the medical programme, informing them of the need to utilise the opportunity for their own well-being. (NAN)