In a heartfelt gesture of service and solidarity, the De-Diamond Foundation for the Needy on Saturday conducted a large-scale free medical outreach for military personnel and their families at the Mogadishu Cantonment in Asokoro, Abuja.
The event, which drew hundreds of attendees, provided screening and treatment for various ailments including HIV, malaria, typhoid, glaucoma, and other common health conditions. A significant number of beneficiaries were women and men residing within the barracks.
Speaking during the programme, Mrs. Nancy Ijezie, the coordinator of barracks activities, described the outreach as a major relief for many who had little access to healthcare. “Many of us walk around without knowing our health status. This initiative has really helped us. I personally benefited from an eye test and received medicated glasses,” she said.
She noted that malaria and typhoid were among the most common health challenges in the barracks due to environmental factors, especially with the recent growth of grasses during the rainy season. She appealed to the foundation to consider holding the outreach regularly. “This is a life-saving initiative. A lot of people avoid the hospital because of cost, but today they came out. If this could happen monthly, we’d be grateful,” she added.
One of the beneficiaries, Usman Konto, a retired soldier and resident of the barracks, expressed gratitude after receiving free eye treatment. “I had an eye problem and came to take advantage of this opportunity. I saw a doctor, was examined, and received a pair of glasses. I can now see clearly. This is truly a blessing,” he said.
Dr. Victor Amana Audu, who led the medical team, shared that the most common conditions observed during the consultations were poor eyesight, eye discharge, itchy eyes, hypertension, peptic ulcer, and malaria. He emphasized the importance of such interventions, citing the often-crowded hospitals and unwelcoming attitude of some medical staff as barriers to access.
Founder of the De-Diamond Foundation, Prince Taye Gimba, said the outreach aligns with the foundation’s mission to support the underprivileged and provide accessible healthcare. “Helping the needy is a way of showing love for God. We’ve done kidney transplants for seven people, supported orphanages, distributed food items to communities, and paid hospital and school bills. Coming to the barracks is our way of saying thank you to the military for their sacrifices,” he said.
Prince Nsa, a senior military officer who oversaw orderliness during the event, described the exercise as part of civil-military cooperation. “Over 600 people are here and everything is running smoothly. It’s first-come, first-served,” he said.
The outreach was widely praised by participants, many of whom described it as a timely intervention and a testament to the power of community-driven healthcare efforts.
