By Abbas Bamalli, Katsina
The 17 Brigade of the Nigerian Army has conducted a one-day free medical outreach for residents of Katoge community in Katsina Local Government Area, as part of activities to mark the 2025 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL).
Speaking during the exercise on Thursday, the Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. Babatunde Omopariola, described the outreach as a way to engage with the host community and demonstrate the army’s commitment to their welfare.
“The aim is to foster goodwill and show the residents that the army is part of their community, just as they are part of us,” he said.
Omopariola explained that the brigade prioritised the health of the community, especially for residents with limited access to quality healthcare due to income constraints.
“This community was selected because of its low-income status. Many residents may not afford medical treatment available in more privileged areas,” he noted. “We targeted between 500 and 700 beneficiaries for this outreach.”
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He assured the community that while the initiative was not a daily programme, it marked the beginning of continued collaboration, with arrangements in place for residents to access care at the brigade’s medical centre for primary healthcare services.
“What we seek from the community is mutual trust and support, which are essential for successful civil-military cooperation,” he added.
Capt. Kayinde Olakunle, Acting Commanding Officer of the 17 Brigade Medical Centre, said the outreach covered various medical needs including treatment for malaria, hypertension, diabetes, typhoid fever, and respiratory tract infections.
“For dental issues, we are providing scaling and polishing, extractions, and fillings. More severe cases will be given appointments or referred to teaching hospitals,” Olakunle said.
He added that children were also attended to, with insecticide-treated mosquito nets distributed to families with children under five.
The village head of Katoge community, Alhaji Isiyaku Ado, expressed gratitude to the Nigerian Army for the initiative, saying it would go a long way in addressing the healthcare challenges faced by residents.
He commended Brig.-Gen. Omopariola and the officers of the 17 Brigade for their dedication and pledged continued support from the community.
(NAN)