The medical team of the 82 Division Nigerian Army has embarked on the delivery of what it described as “impressive and elaborate free medical services” to selected communities in the country’s South-East, where its recently launched ‘Exercise Python Dance’ has sparked fears and controversy. The team is under the leadership of the Acting Commander 82 Division Hospital, Colonel Olufunke Kayode.

The Garrison Commander 82 Division, Brigadier General Olufemi Akinjobi was at the Nsukka Centre to supervise the event. The generous medical outreach was conducted in Okposi, Nsukka and Obinze Communities of Anambra, Enugu and Imo states. Identified communities of Ohafia and Azia in Abia and Ebonyi States are also to benefit from the exercise slated for Thursday 8 December 2016.

Recall that provision of free medical services to selected localities of the South East is part of the Exercise Python Dance’s comprehensive Civil Military Relations Line of Operations. The main objective is to cement the existing cordial relationship between the benefiting communities (states) and the Nigerian Army.

“Generally, the conduct of the medical outreach exercise appears successful in view of the large turnout of patients at the event. At Obinze and Nsukka – where I visited, about 1,500 people turned out for the exercise,” said Col. Sagir Musa, Deputy Director, Army Public Relations.

The Army Spokesman also disclosed that the medical team assembled a total number of 42 medical staff, comprising 12 qualified doctors (including NYSC elements serving in 82 Division hospital), 15 nurses, five dental specialists, five laboratory staff and five counseling staff.

The team provided services such as immunisation against Polio, Hepatitis and Tetanus to some of the participants. Similarly, a large number of participants conducted malaria, blood sugar and HIV tests. Proper medical counseling was equally given to those affected. Scaling, polishing and extraction of teeth were done to those with requisite dental problems.

Additionally, the nursing section of the medical outreach was busy measuring patients’ body temperature, blood pressure and weight. Anti hypertensive, diabetic and malaria drugs as well as de-worming tablets and eye glasses were also freely given to the participants.

Mosquito nets were offered to babies and pregnant women at the event.

“On the whole, the beneficiaries were visibly excited, and majority expressed delight and appreciation to the Nigerian Army personnel at the occasion. The general expression at the event was the need to make this kind of gesture a regular if not permanent activity of the Nigerian military,” the spokesman said.

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