Abuja based Non-governmental Organisation, the De-Diamond Foundation for the Needy on Saturday offered free medical care to military personnel and their families.
The free medical outreach held at the Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja drew hundreds of military men and their dependants who received screening for HIV, malaria, glaucoma and other ailments. Most of the beneficiaries were women.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Magajiya, the woman who coordinates activities in the barracks, Mrs Nancy Ijezie said the event was a great service to her people. She said the outreach was to help the military people know their statuses.
“Many go about without knowing their statuses. This has helped us. They have given us drugs. I’m a beneficiary of eye test and glasses,” she explained.
According to the DHQ Magajiya, “The major health issue is malaria because of the environment. The grasses have grown because the rains have come.
“I appreciate the organisers. We want it from time to time. Many have health problems but hardly go to the clinic but with this, they came out. We’ll be grateful if this is monthly.”
A beneficiary, Usman Konto, an ex soldier and resident in the barracks thanked the organisers for bringing medical help to the barracks.
He said, “I have eye problem so I saw this as an opportunity. I saw a doctor, he checked me and I have been given glasses.
“I can now see very well. This is a wonderful work.”
The head of the medical team, Dr Victor Amana Audu explained that from consultations, it was observed that many people have difficulty in reading, itchy eyes, eye discharge, peptic ulcer, hypertension, and malaria. He spoke on the import of the exercise saying, “This is a good initiative. Bringing expertise to see patients here is good. Hospitals may not do enough.
“These outreaches help in reaching out to people because hospitals are crowded. The attitude of staff is always not good so doing more of this can be helpful.”
The founder of De-Diamond Foundation for the Needy, Mr Taiwo Gimba said it is part of his mission for the less privileged.
“It is about helping the needy. Love for the masses, the poor.
“There are conditions that are expensive. We have done kidney transplant for seven.
“We have done field outreach for orphanages. We visit hospitals, schools and give scholarships.”
According to him, the foundation chose to come to the barracks because the military cannot have everything.
He said his foundation has done 12 outreaches.
Prince Nsa, a military personnel who saw to the maintenance of order in the place said the event was part of the civil military partnership.
“This is orderly. More than 600 people are here. Treatment is based on first-come-first served,” he stated.
An ophthalmologist examines a patient
Pharmacists dispense drugs
