By Cross Udo, Abuja
Nearly 200 residents of the Karon-Majigi community in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, have benefited from a free medical outreach organised by the National Association of Seadogs (NAS), also known as Pyrates Confraternity, as part of its quarterly humanitarian intervention.
The exercise, held at the community’s Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC), provided beneficiaries with medical consultations, diagnosis, treatment, medications, and referrals, addressing pressing healthcare needs in the underserved settlement.
Speaking during the outreach, NAS Captain, Dr Joseph Oteri, described the initiative as part of the association’s regular quarterly programme aimed at extending healthcare support to vulnerable communities across the country.
“This is a medical mission organised by NAS as part of our quarterly meeting. We do it every quarter, and when we go to any town, we select a community that we think should benefit from the medical outreach,” Oteri said.
He explained that Karon-Majigi was selected after assessments revealed growing pressure on its limited health infrastructure due to rapid population growth.
“From what the Hakimi said, the place is overpopulated compared to what this facility can cater for. Coming here is a blessing because residents are now receiving treatment beyond just blood pressure checks. We are conducting broader tests, providing drugs, and ensuring proper treatment,” he said.
According to Oteri, NAS conducts scoping missions before each intervention to determine prevalent illnesses in target communities, allowing the association to tailor its medical supplies and services to specific local needs.
“Before we enter any community, we assess the common ailments there. This helps us procure the right medications and avoid wasting resources on irrelevant treatments,” he stated.
He disclosed that the programme is currently self-funded by NAS, although efforts are underway to secure external support to expand its reach.
Oteri further noted that NAS collaborates closely with government-owned primary healthcare facilities and local health workers to ensure continuity of care, referrals, and follow-up for serious cases.
“We work with government personnel in these PHCs. Referrals and follow-up treatments are done through them. We are also prepared to use our links with the Federal Capital Territory Administration to advocate for the expansion of this facility,” he added.
He commended ongoing federal government reforms in the health sector, particularly the revitalisation of primary healthcare centres under the leadership of the Minister of Health.
“The health sector is improving. Many PHCs are being revitalised, and if primary healthcare is strengthened, teaching hospitals will no longer be overcrowded with cases that can be handled at the grassroots,” Oteri said.
Medical Mate for NAS Sahara Deck, Wisdom Ekanem, said the outreach became necessary after the association discovered severe healthcare deficiencies in the community.
“We discovered that the people here are medically disadvantaged. Our intervention is designed to bring primary healthcare services to them, including testing for malaria, hepatitis, blood work, treatment, health education, counselling, and referral services,” Ekanem said.
He noted that residents had expressed deep appreciation for the intervention, describing it as a critical lifeline.
“The community is very happy. From the scoping mission to this intervention stage, they have continuously expressed gratitude because they know their health challenges are enormous and support is limited,” he said.
Ekanem also used the opportunity to draw the government’s attention to the poor environmental and infrastructural conditions that contribute to health risks in the area.
“This community is very close to the city, yet poor drainage systems, unplanned housing, and weak infrastructure continue to expose residents to serious health challenges. Government must urgently intervene,” he said.
In his remarks, the Hakimi of Karon-Majigi District, Yunusa Abdullahi Bako, praised NAS for the intervention, describing it as timely and impactful.
“What I see here today gladdens me. I am excited to see my people receiving free treatment. The organisers are highly appreciated,” Bako said.
While expressing gratitude, the traditional ruler called for urgent expansion of the local PHC into a more comprehensive facility capable of serving the growing population.
“We need more than temporary interventions. This PHC should be upgraded to a comprehensive health centre or general hospital. We have no doctors here, only limited health workers. More staff and better infrastructure are urgently needed,” he added.
