By Ado Hassan, Sokoto
The Nigerian Airforce has commenced free medical outreach services in Isa local government area of Sokoto state troubled by bandits attacks.
The medical outreach set to last three days , targets community members with particular attention to Internally Displaced Persons occasioned by bandits attacks.
At the inauguration of the programme being conducted at the General Hospital, Isa, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal represented by the state Director of Public Health Services, Dr. Shuaibu Gobir said the initiative was apt sequel to the security situation in the area.
The Governor while acknowledging the steadfastness of the Force towards ensuring the health and wellbeing of people in the bandits ravaged area also appreciated the unprecedented gesture, urging the beneficiaries of the outreach services to avail themselves with the programme.
In his remarks, the Commander of the 119 Composite Group, Group Captain Garba Bello said the exercise was instructed by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal, Sadiq Abubakar as a strategic initiative to practically enhance military-civil relations through the free outreach services meant to bring succour to IDPs as well win the hearts and minds of the people in view of the ongoing military operations in the area.
According to Bello, NAF will continue to champion the course of the gesture not only in the axis but across the country.
“We want Nigerians and the people of Isa to understand that we are here for them. We are here to restore peace in the area and our operation is still work in progress until our achievements are evident to a considerable level”, he said
The Director Medical Public Health and Humanitarian Services of the Nigerian Airforce Headquarters, Group Captain Ali Tanko said the outreach was focused on persons displaced by bandits and other residents.
According to him, people dislodged including a children might likely develop some health challenges ranging from hypertension, diabetics, eye and dental problems.
” They will be treated free. The outreach will also treat other common diseases as deworming of children and provide treated insecticide nets to pregnant women to ensure delivery of healthy children free of malaria”, he said.
Also, District Head of Isa, Alhaji Nasiru Ahmed represented by the Bunun Isa, Alhaji Nuruddeen Ahmed, expressed profound gratitude and commended NAF for selecting Isa local government for the rare gesture and efforts being made to restore peace in the area.
Meanwhile, a similar outreach was conducted in Sabon Birni local government of Sokoto state between last Friday and Sunday.
However, over 10,000 persons had been displaced in the eastern part of the state by bandits attacks
