The Defence Headquarters has begun a two-day free medical treatment of 1,000 persons in Bichi Local Government Area of Kano State.
The exercise which has as its theme: “The Role of Diet in the Management of Hypertension and Diabetes,” was designed to sensitise communities on preventive and curative measures of the diseases.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor, stated this at the inauguration of the exercise in Bichi on Thursday.
Irabor, represented by Col.Vincent Abu, the Commandant, Armed Forces Specialist Hospital, Kano, said that the exercise was aimed at improving the health status of people at the grassroots.
He said that the Defence Headquarters had deployed medical personnel to facilitate the smooth conduct of the free medical treatment to the people in Bichi local government area of the state.
“The Defence Headquarters will offer free medical services, distribute drugs and 500 treated mosquito nets to patients, children and pregnant women during the exercise.
“The services include medical checks for hypertension, diabetes, oral hygiene and eye care among others.
“Hypertension and diabetes, if not properly managed will lead to serious health problems in the society, hence the intervention to enhance public health,” he said.
The Emir of Bichi, Alhaji Nasiru Ado-Bayero, who inaugurated the exercise, thanked the Defence Headquarters for the conduct of the exercise in the area.
Bayero said that the gesture would go a long way to improve the health status of patients and less privileged in the society.
“The exercise will provide free services to patients who cannot afford quality healthcare services due to the poor economic condition of the country,” he said.
The emir urged the people to turn out enmasse and participate in the exercise.
Also speaking, Dr Yusuf Sabo, the Chairman, Bichi Local Government Council, commended the gesture, describing it as a “welcome development.”
Sabo said that the council had engaged community and religious leaders to mobilise participation in the exercise.
Some of the beneficiaries, Kassim Musa and Yahanasu Ibrahim, commended the Defence Headquarters for the exercise.
Musa, a retired soldier, said he was living with hypertension and diabetes for many years and hope to get treatment during the exercise.
While Ibrahim, a hypertension patient, said she was diagnosed and sensitised on effective management of the disease.
The exercise was inaugurated with conduct of hypertension and diabetes test on Bayero.
