Over 500 people in Banda and its adjoining communities in Lokoja local government area of Kogi state have benefited from free medical rhapsody organised by Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Lugard.
Speaking at the second quarter 2024 medical rhapsody held at LEA Primary Schoo, Banda, Monday, the Commander NNS Lugard, Commodore Moses Epelle, said the programme was part of social responsibility to Banda community that hosted NNS Lugard.
Commodore Epelle, who was represented by the executive officer, Navy Captain Austine Okorie, stated that it was customary in the Navy to develop a cordial civil-military relationship with host community anywhere the Navy is operating, adding that aside the free medical rhapsody, the NNS Lugard also assisted the community with security of life and property.
“The establishment of NNS Lugard and its location in Banda has over time created a bond between the Navy and the good people of Banda. You will agree with me that we have co-habited together peacefully and have benefited immensely from our peaceful and harmonious co-existence.
“It is in the light of this that NNS Lugard amongst other things made efforts to bring this humanitarian service on directive as non-kinetic measure ops Delta Sanit II of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, to this noble community.
“As you all know, the primary purpose of the Base is to ensure security of lives and property in its immediate environment and beyond.
“The community has so far cooperated with the Base in this regard to ensure the complete eradication of crime and criminals from this environment and due to your cooperative efforts, I can boldly say that the people of Banda always go to sleep with their eyes closed,” he stated.
The commander, NNS Lugard, charged residents of Banda community to take advantage of the free medical rhapsody to attend to their medical challenges at no cost to the beneficiaries, that the health programme features health talk, free medical care, free drugs , free blood pressure test and distribution of mosquito nets.
The head of the medical team, Dr Akpaka Stanley, in his hygiene tips to the locals urged them to prioritise personal hygiene in order to prevent the occurrence of many diseases that can affect them.
He also advised them on the need for routine check of blood pressure, sugar level and adherence to immunisation to give children future quality health status.