The Healthcare Committee chairman for Akwa Ibom Diasporan Network (AIDN), Dr Moses Udoh, has lauded the free medical service rendered by the Nigerian Army to the good people of Akwa Ibom.

Udoh who spoke with News men on Saturday July, 9 in Uyo maintained that such a humanitarian service must have presented opportunities for many in the rural communities to have access to free healthcare.

It would be recalled that the Nigerian Army rendered free medical service in Akwa Ibom as part of activities that marked the Nigerian Army Day celebration (NADCEL) held in Uyo.

The free medical care was carried out by Nigerian Army Medical Corps headed by the Director, Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Yaba Lagos, Brigadier General Anthony Okpobrisi.

Communities that benefited from the gesture include Ukanna, in Essien Udim Local government Area, Ndiya in Nsit Ubiom LGA, Ikot Oboeying in Ikot Abasi and Ikono Local government areas respectively.

“It is good for organizations while marking annual program of such nature to involve free medical care for all ages in the rural areas as it will go a long way to give them much sense of belonging, I am sure the communities visited showed high enthusiasm over the free Medicare as we always have such experience each time we embark on free medical mission,” he added.

Udo disclosed that as the healthcare committee chairman for AIDN, he had spearheaded a lot of free medical programs being rendered to different local governments in the state in partnership with Pro Health International and the state government.

He maintained that there was need for the state government to add into its itinerary regular free medical care for all ages at the rural areas so as to address their health challenges adding that most of the rural dwellers hardly make a meal not to talk of paying hospital bills.

“We need to invest in our health sector because it is widely acclaimed that a healthy man is a wealthy man,” he said.

However, the chairman, commended the governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, for the on-going free medical treatment to the pregnant women, aged and children under the age of six adding that such should be emulated by other state governors.

Dr Udoh is one of the leading Nigerian-American physicians based in Columbia, South Carolina, a diplomat in the American Board of Medicine and currently works with sisters of charity providence hospitals in Columbia where he also serves as the vice chair of medicine.