Naval Dockyard organises free medical outreach to improve healthcare practices in Lagos

 Naval Dockyard organises free medical outreach to improve healthcare practices in Lagos

Lagos, Dec.8, 2023  The Naval Dockyard Limited, Victoria Island on Thursday organised a free medical outreach to raise awareness about preventive healthcare practices to the people of Iru-Victoria Island Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State.

The Admiral Superintendent, Naval Dockyard, Rear Adm. Bolaji Orederu said that the gesture would help improve the overall well-being among members of the community who do not have access to medical screening.

Orederu said this at the 2023 Medical Rhapsody of Naval Dockyard Limited, a free medical outreach which held at the Naval Dockyard Limited, Victoria Island, Lagos.

He said the event was inspired by the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla as part of the Nigerian Navy and the Yard’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the community.

"This gesture is meant to extend a healing hand to those in need of medical assistance in treating and managing prevalent ailments within our community.

"This gesture also, embodys the spirit of compassion, solidarity and good-neighbourliness that defines the Nigerian Navy and the Naval Dockyard Limited in particular," the naval dockyard boss said.

Orederu said that the primary aim of the exercise was to provide vital healthcare services to individuals who could not have regular access to medical care due to economic barriers.

"This may have caused them to seek alternative treatments that will not have address the root causes of the illness and may have resulted in worsening conditions or postponing repercussions.

"However, our experienced medical personnel will address such immediate healthcare needs of our deserving community members by offering medical consultations, screenings and essential treatments at zero cost to the beneficiaries," he said.

Orederu said that the history between the Naval Dockyard and the good people of Oniru Community dated back to more than half a century ago when the Yard was operated by Elder Dempster Shipyard.

"Over the years, this relationship has blossomed into something more unique and special with the Navy’s acquisition in 1990 and subsequent commercialisation of the Yard as a limited liability company in 2013.

"The naval dockyard and its personnel engage in commercial activities with traders and artisans within the the Yard, provide security, potable drinking water and fire emergencies within the Oniru Community and beyond," he said.

Orederu added that the medical center was open to the inhabitants of the community, the entire Lagos State and beyond for quality and relatively cheaper medical treatment and care.

"Hence, we can conveniently say that the Yard, and by extension the Navy, is a dependable friend of the Oniru Community.

"Most importantly, our ultimate objective goes beyond the provision of immediate medical care.

"We aspire to foster a lasting impact by empowering individuals to take charge of their health and encourage more proactive approaches to wellness," he said.

Orederu said that by offering education on disease prevention, healthy lifestyle choices and access to available facilities, was an avenue to reach out and give back to the people of Oniru community. 

Dr. Simiat Oladipo, Medical Officer of Health Iru-VI, LCDA applauded the Nigerian Navy for the kind gesture towards ensuring that the health of community members was in top notch.

Oladipo who represented the Chairman of the LCDA, Rasheedat Adu appealed to the Navy to organise subsequent outreach within the community area to involve more participation of members.

"I thank them for using the dockyard facility but a lot of members will be scared to come into the military formation for check up even if it's open to the public.

"I urge them to use health facilities within the community for subsequent outreach to enable more participation," the medical doctor said.

Also, Chief Olumide Oniru, the Olopon of Oniru said that the outreach was a medical intervention programme to what the Federal Government was also doing in the community.

Oniru who represented the Oba of Oniru, Oba Abdulwasiu Lawal appreciated the Navy for their kind gesture to the community.