The Commander of NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Sanusi Ibrahim, on Tuesday, said that up to 1,000 men, women and children in Rumuolumeni community have benefitted from a free HIV screening and treatment organized by the Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder (NNS) in Port Harcourt.
“As part of activities to mark the Nigeria Navy diamond jubilee (60 years) celebration, NNS Pathfinder decided to carry out the free medical rhapsody for residents in our host communities. We felt it was important to mark this celebration by organizing free medical rhapsody with focus to detect, counsel and treat beneficiaries diagnosed with an ailment.
“We will conduct a free test for HIV, sugar level, blood pressure, malaria, while those who test positive to these tests, will be counselled and given drugs. Those diagnosed with major ailments would also proceed to hospitals for further treatment. We are making efforts to make the exercise a monthly or quarterly event to enable more people to benefit” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Gloria Ernest, 24, expressed delight as she tested negative to HIV. She said she had never participated in HIV screening out of fear that she might be stigmatized, if she tested positive. She thanked and urged the Navy to make the exercise a regular one.
