NAF Offers Free Healthcare to 11,000, Conducts 846 Surgeries in Imo
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has extended its civil-military outreach to Imo State, offering free medical services to over 11,000 residents and conducting 846 surgeries in Mbaise and surrounding communities.
The large-scale medical intervention, carried out in August in partnership with the Nwagwu Health Initiative, saw specialists attend to 11,231 consultations, including 9,054 general cases and 2,177 eye consultations. Life-changing surgeries were also performed, covering 63 thyroidectomies, 118 gynaecological cases, 434 general procedures, and 331 eye operations.
Speaking on the initiative, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, said the outreach was part of the NAF’s Civil-Military Cooperation strategy to win hearts and minds.
“Beyond our core mandate of defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity, the Nigerian Air Force is committed to alleviating the suffering of our people, particularly in remote communities.
This outreach is a testament to our philosophy of putting people first, while also bridging the gap between the military and the civilian population,” he said.
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The programme also distributed more than 1,300 eyeglasses, walking aids, and crutches to persons living with disabilities, restoring mobility and improving quality of life. Health education sessions on preventive care, hygiene, and maternal health were included to ensure long-term benefits.
Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola, Chief of Civil-Military Relations, described the outreach as a reflection of the CAS’s vision of using Civil-Military Cooperation as a tool for national development.
“Every cataract restored, every hernia repaired, every life touched here demonstrates that the Nigerian Air Force is more than a fighting force; it is a compassionate partner in nation building. We are determined to sustain these outreach efforts as a pillar of our engagement with the Nigerian people,” he said.
Project Coordinator, Air Vice Marshal Uche Nwagwu, credited the success of the outreach to the collaboration between NAF and local stakeholders. “This initiative underscores the power of collaboration. We were able to mobilize resources, personnel, and expertise to achieve remarkable outcomes. The smiles we see today are our greatest reward,” he said.
The Nigerian Air Force stressed that the outreach was not just about providing healthcare but also about building trust and unity with the civilian population.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, in a statement on Thursday, said the service would continue to roll out such interventions across the country as part of its commitment to being “the People’s Air Force.”
By PRNigeria
