The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has brought relief to thousands of residents in Imo State after concluding a large-scale medical outreach that delivered over 11,000 consultations and 846 free surgeries in Mbaise and surrounding communities.
The month-long intervention, carried out in partnership with Nwagwu’s Health Initiative, was confirmed in a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.
He disclosed that the programme, which ended in August, also distributed eyeglasses, walking aids, and crutches to persons living with disabilities.
Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, said the initiative was part of NAF’s Civil-Military Cooperation strategy aimed at fostering stronger ties with Nigerians.
“Beyond defending the nation’s territorial integrity, the Nigerian Air Force is committed to alleviating the suffering of our people, especially in underserved communities. This outreach demonstrates our philosophy of putting people first,” Abubakar stated.
The scope of the intervention covered a wide range of specialties. Surgeries included 63 thyroidectomies, 118 gynaecological cases, 434 general surgeries, and 331 eye operations. Consultations reached 9,054 general cases and 2,177 eye-related cases, while over 1,300 mobility aids were distributed. Health education sessions on hygiene, preventive care, and maternal health were also conducted.
Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola, described the exercise as a reflection of the CAS’s vision to use Civil-Military Cooperation as a tool for national development.
“Every cataract restored, every hernia repaired, every life touched here shows that the Air Force is more than a fighting force—it is a compassionate partner in nation-building,” Daramola said.
The Project Coordinator, Air Vice Marshal Uche Nwagwu, lauded the partnership between the NAF and local stakeholders, noting that community support was vital to the success of the initiative.
The Nigerian Air Force emphasized that it will continue similar programmes across the country to build trust, promote unity, and reinforce its role as a people-centred institution.