The National Association of Seadogs, (NAS), also known as Pyrates Confraternity has targeted no fewer than 500 persons to benefit from its free healthcare services, which kicked off with over 250 beneficiaries in the first phase.
Mr. Dirisu Odion, the Edo North branch Capoon Hybrid Deck, who disclosed this on Monday during the flag-off of the association’s medical mission in Ososo, Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo state said, the programme, tagged “NAS Medical Mission”, was in collaboration with Key Pharmaceutical and Stores, Limited, Auchi.
According to him, the programme is aimed at promoting the wellbeing of indigent persons at the grassroots by granting them easier access to free and quality healthcare.
NAS medical mission is one of our programmes where we reach out to people, less privileged, those who cannot afford medical treatment , we identify such area and we reach out to them.
“Ososo is a big community, but you find out there is no functioning healthcare facilities in the entire community, the only healthcare centre they have, there is nothing in it, no staff, no equipment and they are lacking health facilities.
“So we dim it fit to ensure that Ososo should be the next beneficiary of our service to humanity.
“This humanity service is given back to the society, our founding fathers make us to understand that wherever the community in which we reside need a helping hand, Pyrates must come first.
“This is in fulfilment of that commitment as seadogs to put a smile on the faces of the people, is our way of life given back to the society.
“One of the principles of Pyrates confraternity is what we called humanistic ideal, that is what we have just come to demonstrate here in Ososo,” Odion said
An Optometrist, Dr. Lateef Abu, who led the medical personal to the area said that the outreach targeted indigent people in the community on key areas such as general consultation, dental consultation, eye consultation.
According to him, others are screening for common ailments among the elderly and children; diabetes, HIV, typhoid fever, malaria test, hypertension and deworming of little children, distribution of free eye glasses and drugs among others.
“We notice that there had been lack of health facilities around Ososo community, that was what inform the National Association of Seadogs to bringing a medical out- reach here, our target here is above 250 but if we can get more than that we are ready to attend to them.
“During the exercise medical volunteers will carry out general healthcare services, taking there BP, blood sugar, malaria test, dental services for those with teething problem while drugs, eye glasses and other medical consumables will also be given to patients free of charge.
He urged communities to imbibe personal hygiene and environmental cleanliness as preventive measures against outbreak.
He, however, appealed to governments and well meaning Nigerians to ensure they bring health facilities closer to the people.
“When you have an environment where you don’t have health facilities, there will be high mortality rate, the closest place where they can access treatment is, they have to cross the dam going far away, I think if they can bring healthcare closer to them the better for them,” he said.
Mr. Jude Ologun, a palace chief of the community and also a beneficiary thanked the association for the gesture and urged people in the community to come out en mass for the free medical service.
“This a great initiative and we the people of Ososo appreciate the Association of Seadogs for the outreach,” Ologun said.
The National Association of Seadogs is an independent, humanitarian organisation offering free medical care to indigent citizens across the world.
The organisation is a volunteer group engaged in health care promotion in disadvantaged communities.
