By Onuminya Ochowechi In Sokoto
In continuation of activities to mark this year Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) Nigerian Army 8 Division Sokoto on Tuesday offered free medical service to no fewer than 4000 persons in Sifawa , Bodinga local government and Dange in Dange /Shuni local government of Sokoto State.
Speaking at the event the General Officer Commanding 8 Division Sokoto Maj General Uwem Bassey said the initiative is in furtherance of Nigerian Army cooperate social responsibilities in bringing succour to the people.
Represented by the Garisson Commander Brig Gen Ralph Nnebife , General Uwem said the gesture is not only during the Army Day Celebration but a tradition of Nigerian Army.
He explained that medical team come with adequate drugs saying anybody that turn up for the exercise would be attended to stressing that the exercise will last for two days and if a need arise it will be extended.
“When we came here last year seeing the dilapidated state of this clinic , we promised to renovate it and today as you can see the clinic have been fixed, and Doctors, Nurses and other medical personnel were employed to man the clinic he stated.
On his part the commander 8 Division medical hospital and services Col (Dr) Ijoma Ijoamanta Nwosu said the medical services cover testing and treatment of malaria, hypertension, visual and eye treatment , provision of eye glasses ,
Others include dental services , diabetes screening and paediatric services.
He noted that any major medical case that could not be handled would be referred to Army hospital at Giginya Barrack Sokoto for proper attention and treatment.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries the district head of Sifawa , Sarkin Kudu Sifawa Alhaji Muhammad Buhari Tambari thanked the Nigerian Army for the benevolence gesture .
He appealed to them to extend same to other Communities in the state.
Tambari enjoined the beneficiaries to conduct themselves inordering manner to enable the medical personnel to attend to them on time.
He implored the people to pray for the chief of army staff Lt General Farouk Yahaya and Nigerian Army in order for them to carry out their responsibility.