By Odo Ogenyi, Uyo
The National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) in Eket yesterday began a free medical outreach in Oron Local Council of Akwa Ibom.
Mr Herbert Nwaka, Area Mate IV, comprising Rivers, Bayelsa, Abia and Akwa Ibom who flagged-off the programme said the free medical outreach was in response to the growing desperation in the country for medical services.
The one day programme he said would take place at the National Mesuem in Oron and would compliment what the association has been doing at the national level.
“Many citizens struggled with a regressing economy, especially at the advent of the new year when citizens are recovering from yuletide festivities and struggling with other domestic bills.
“Hence the need for the organisation to leverage on its broad human resources to help communities and individuals.
“Our prayers and expectation is to see as many as possible to come out and be treated by the professionals who are treating them and ensure they get well.
“Parts of our call and responsibility is to take care of life and down trodden, give an helping hands to those who can not afford their medical bills and who are in-dire needs of the services.
“The general success of what we expect today is to have as many people who needs this services to come out and get treated freely.” Nwaka explained.
In his remarks, Mr Utibe Ikot, The Capone, Atlantic Shores Deck, said the association has been involved in medical mission for humanistic ideals since 1952.
“For Humanistic Ideals” has been a major objective for which NAS has carried out several medical humanitarian causes over the years featuring: medical equipment to health facilities, payment of medical bills of indigent patients, organising free medical missions and outreaches, and support to various hospital blood banks.
“This is also pursuant to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal Number 3: “Good Health and Well Being”, which is currently, one of the four strategic programme areas of NAS.” He said.
According to him, the location of the outreach was strategic because it’s been a major trading centre while health education in the area remained very low, exacerbated by lack of health education and awareness and meant to continually impact its immediate community positively.
“Over 114 persons, including the elderly and children benefitted from the medical outreach, which included diagnosis, treatment and referrals, covering malaria, hypertension, blood sugar checks, asthma, upper respiratory tract infections.
“Some of the medication administered included anti-malarials, digestive disorders, deworming, and other endemic infections and non-surgical medical conditions.” Ikot said.
Lead medical volunteer, Dr. Ekanem Eshiet stated that they were working with five medical doctors, three nurses, and a medical laboratory technician, all of whom were offering their services pro bono.
