The Nigerian Army has offered free medical services to residents of Irepene and Idodenge communities in Adavi local government area of Kogi state.
The Commander, Command Army Records (CARs), Maj. Gen. Bamidele Ogunkale, while monitoring the exercise at Irepene Tuesday told journalists that the gesture was part of activities for the ongoing field training exercise, tagged EX AYEM AKPATUMA ll in the state.
Ogunkale commended the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, for the initiative and for giving the needed support since the exercise began on Nov. 1, saying the military had recorded an appreciable success.
The commander, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, CARs, Brig. Gen. Ayobambo Orukotan, said that the medical service was a civil- military cooperation to assist the residents of the neighbouring communities where the military Super Camps were sited.
”In that spirit, the Nigerian Army Women’s Corps (NAWC) were sent down here to participate in the exercise in collaboration with CARs to offer free medical treatment and give free drugs to patients,” he said
The commander noted that the exercise ”Ayem Akpatuma Il” had recorded a huge success, noting that the military were able to flush out criminals from their hideouts and rid some areas of bandits across Kogi.
Also speaking, Lt. Col. Suzan Dibal, the Coordinator, Women Special Operations Battalion, NAWC, Giri, said the women corps was collaborating with headquarters CARs for civil-military relations to offer free medical treatment to people.
”We have to say thank you to our peculiar father, the COAS, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, who had built women corps and for making women what they are today in the Army.
”The women corps are here to support the medical outreach for the vulnerable women and children including men,” she said.
Dibal also thanked the Commander CARs for making it possible for the NAWC to work together to have the medical outreach.
On his part, the medical officer, CARs, Capt. Nurudeen Saka, said doctors were on ground to check blood pressure, random blood sugar for diabetes, immunisation for children,
He noted those that could be treated there would be counselled appropriately to go the nearest hospital or come down to the military hospital for treatment.
