By Halimah Olamide
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has commenced sustained medical outreach to assist residents of Maiduguri affected by the recent devastating flood in Borno.
This was contained in a statement by Group Capt. Kabiru Ali, Deputy Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, on Friday in Abuja.
Ali said that the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, gave the directive in response to the devastating floods that ravaged parts of the state.
He said the NAF units in Maiduguri launched the initiative on Thursday, to offer medical assistance and essential relief materials to the affected population.
According to him, the NAF’s outreach is designed to address the urgent needs of the survivors, by providing essential medical care, food, water and relief materials.
“The beneficiaries of the outreach are thus receiving free medical consultations, medications and the distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets.
“Additionally, families in need are receiving food and water supplies.
“Among the notable cases, a woman who gave birth the previous night is receiving specialised care from the medical team.
“This effort is part of a coordinated response involving the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and the North East Development Commission (NEDC),’’ he said.
Ali said that the NAF’s intervention would be sustained as the situation persists.
According to him, this is crucial towards preventing outbreaks as well as ensuring the health and safety of vulnerable groups, especially women, children and the elderly.