By Dennis Udo – Udoma, Uyo
The National Association of Seadogs a.k.a Pyrates Confraternity, Atlantic Shores Deck (Eket Chapter) on Monday commenced free medical services in Oron Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Mr. Herbert Nwaka, who is the Area Mate IV, representing Rivers, Bayelsa, Abia and Akwa Ibom flagged-off the programme saying, the free medical outreach was in response to the growing concern by poor Nigerians for medical help.
According to him, “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”.
He said, NAS was in collaboration with all the Decks in Area IV, to carry out the “Free Medical Outreach” at the National Museum, Oron, Akwa Ibom.
He noted that the Area IV of the National Association of Seadogs covers Decks (Chapters) comprising; Rivers, Bayelsa, Abia, and Akwa Ibom states.
Nwaka however explained that, the essence of the outreach was to take the free medical services to the people and communities in dire needs of help.
“Our prayers and expectation is to serve as many people as possible to come out and be treated by our professionals who are treating them to ensure they get well.
“Part of our call and responsibility is to take care of life and the down trodden in the society in general; give a helping hand to those who cannot afford their medical bills and in-dire need of the services,” Nwaka said.
He revealed that NAS had been conducting full blown medical missions before now adding that, the free medical outreach was to follow up with the activities of their headquarters.
“The general success of what we expect today is to have as many people who needs these services to come out and get freely treated.
Also, Mr. Utibe Ikot and Cap’n, Atlantic Shores Deck, remarked that, NAS had been involved in medical missions for humanistic ideals since 1952 adding that, “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, the location of the outreach was strategic because it lies by the beach, where there are a lot of fishing, trading, transportation activities, where health awareness is very low.
He stated that the intervention was part of the Deck’s drive 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-malarias, digestive disorders, deworming, and other endemic infections and non-surgical medical conditions,” he said.
The medical volunteer, Dr. Ekanem Eshiet said, they were working with five medical doctors, three nurses, and a medical laboratory technician, all of whom were offering their services pro bono.
One of the beneficiaries, Glory Owineng, commended the association for their gesture, describing the free medical outreach as timely and a welcome development.