The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has commenced a 3-day medical outreach in Kanoma Community in Maru Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara State.
The
medical intervention, which began today, 30 July 2019, is designed to bring
succour to villagers who were displaced by the activities of armed bandits
prior to the commencement of the ongoing dialogue between the Zamfara State
Government and the bandits. The humanitarian initiative is in furtherance of
the directive by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique
Abubakar, for the NAF Medical Services Branch to provide immediate medical
assistance to residents of Kanoma and adjoining communities in Maru LGA.
While flagging off the medical outreach, the Representative of the Executive
Governor of Zamfara State, the Secretary to the State Government, Bala Bello
Moru, was full of appreciation to the NAF for the kind gesture in assuaging the
plight of the people. He stated that the Zamfara State Government was happy
with the initiative. The Governor noted that, as part of the ongoing
negotiation with the armed bandits, more than 200 persons in the hands of the
bandits had been released while efforts were ongoing to secure the release of
the remaining captives.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, the leader of the NAF Medical Team and
Director of Public Health and Humanitarian Services, Headquarters NAF, Group
Captain Ali Tanko, explained that the Team would remain in the area to provide
medical services to about 3,000 patients, while those requiring basic surgeries
would be operated upon. According to him, the medical outreach would also
provide free medical consultations, laboratory tests, free drugs, as well as
insecticide-treated mosquito nets to pregnant women, visual acuity checks,
de-worming of children and distribution of prescription eye glasses to about
1,000 persons from the benefiting communities.
The first day of the medical outreach witnessed a large turnout of villagers
who were treated for different medical conditions. The beneficiaries, who were
visibly elated by the gesture, expressed appreciation to the NAF for the
services provided by the Medical Team. Also present at the flag-off ceremony
were the Permanent Secretary Zamfara State Ministry of Health, Commander 207
NAF Quick Response Group (207 QRG) Gusau, Chairman of Maru LGA and Village Head
of Kanoma, amongst others. It would be recalled that, the Executive Governor of
Zamfara State, Doctor Bello Matawale, recently visited the CAS to commend him
for the role played by the NAF in helping to force the armed bandits
terrorizing innocent people to the negotiating table. During the visit, the
Governor had also requested for more assistance in the area of provision of
healthcare services to help alleviate the shortfall in amenities caused by many
months of banditry.
