By Chiemelie Ezeobi
To ameliorate the raging effect of meningitis across the nation, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), said it has taken steps against the illness by vaccinating its personnel and new recruits, especially in the headquarters and other northern states were the disease is prevalent.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, disclosed this at the presentation of accreditation certificate for 561 Aviation Medicine Department, as well as the Cancer Awareness Lecture held at the Logistics Command in Lagos.
Abubakar, who was represented by the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Logistics Command, Air Vice Marshal Ibrahim Yahaya, said awareness of the disease is key, adding that the service has started observing the given rules.
He also said the service has started reviewing procedures and processes of entrance, so that people coming into the service would undertake psychiatric evaluation.
He said: “We have been given certification to examine civil air crew. The two doctors that have been issued seal can give certified medical examination to air crew and it would be recognised internationally.”
The CAS who embarked on a tour of medical facilities under the command, was accompanied by the Chief of Medical Services, AVM Sale Shinkafi, Air Commodore Benjamin Okunola and other senior officers.
On what the NAF was doing to save its personnel in the Middle Belt from contracting meningitis, AVM Shinkafi said: “The CAS has directed the medical services to take deliberate actions which we have done. Virtually all medical units have conducted enlightenment lectures on meningitis.
“We have also secured good quantity of vaccines, which we have been using on our personnel to prevent them from contracting it. Before I left the headquarters, virtually all personnel there have been immunised.
“Those in training at Kaduna both recruits and cadets have also been immunised. We have gone a step further by making deliberate efforts to protect even those coming for recruitment interview.
“We do not want a situation where any of the persons called could have the disease and infect any of our personnel, who would transmit it to the barracks.”
Speaking on the cancer awareness lecture, Air Commodore Okunola said it was borne out of the service’s desire to educate its immediate community on the need for screening.
He said: “Cancer is real and in our society. We want people to be aware of that fact. They should also be aware that if quickly dictated, it could be treated. We want people to be open to screening, so that they could get treatment on time.
“After the lectures, we would conduct screening for breast, cervical and prostrate cancers. Those diagnosed with any of them would receive free treatment.”
