The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Victory, in partnership with the Canaan City Lions Club, has carried out a medical outreach in Ikot Edem Odo community in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River.

The outreach, tagged Independence Day Medical Rhapsody, involved free eye check, test for malaria, blood pressure, diabetes, hepatitis and free donations of eye glasses, insecticide treated nets and drugs to community members.

Speaking during the outreach, Commodore Ifeanyi Okpala, Commander NNS Victory, said the outreach was a directive from Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, the Chief of Naval Staff.

Represented by Commander Solomon Nelson, Okpala said in line with Nigeria’s 62nd independence celebration, it was necessary to let the civil populace know that the military cared about their health.

“We have carried out this medical rhapsody to take care of the people’s health and also know how they are fairing health wise.

“This outreach is part of our corporate social responsibility and we hope that through it, some of the health needs of members of Ikot Edem Odo community will be met,” he said.

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Similarly, Mrs Felicita Opata, President Canaan City Lions Club, said the outreach was part of their focus in ensuring that they bridged the gap of healthcare need in disadvantaged and rural communities.

Opata said October would be a very busy one for them as they would be carrying out various awareness campaigns on sight, mental health and diabetes.

“In collaboration with the Nigerian Navy, we decided to express our independence celebration in the form of service to humanity; I think this is the best way to celebrate the nation’s anniversary,” she said.

On his part, Chief Patrick Etim, Chief of Ikot Edem Odo Community, thanked the Navy and the Club, saying the outreach was all encompassing and a blessing to his community.

Etim, however, appealed to the government to help the community in the area of electricity and portable drinking water.

Also, another beneficiary, Mr Ekpenyong Offion who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), prayed that the almighty God blessed the Nigerian Navy and the Lions Club for their kind gesture.

He said he now had a new pair of glasses to enable him to read, quality hypertension drugs that will last him for over two months and a mosquito treated net to help him prevent malaria (NAN)