The National Association of Seadogs (NAS) has restored a long-abandoned solar-powered borehole and launched a large-scale medical outreach in Afaha Atai community, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, to combat the spread of waterborne diseases plaguing the area.
The initiative, unveiled on Saturday during the association’s quarterly meeting in the state, is expected to provide free medical care to over 2,000 residents suffering from various ailments, including malaria, typhoid, skin infections, and age-related illnesses.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, NAS Capn, Dr. Joseph Oteri, said the intervention was part of the association’s ongoing efforts to promote community health and improve access to clean water in underserved areas.
” Each of our quarterly meetings is an opportunity to touch humanity in a tangible way. We usually select a list of communities for a scoping mission to assess disease prevalence and population. That helps us to determine the quality of drugs to purchase and the number of medical personnel to engage.
“The decision to bring the Outreach and commissioning of the borehole stem from the prevalence of water borne disease in the community,” Oteri said.
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He added that NAS’s centrally-driven medical missions, launched in 2011, have had far-reaching impacts across several states, with many beneficiaries sharing their experiences through the association’s website.
Also speaking, Dr. Eshiet Ekanem, Medical Mate of the Sancta Riviera Deck, revealed that the team carried out a detailed health assessment in Afaha Atai and neighboring villages, Afaha Etim and Mbietebe, to identify their most pressing medical needs.
Dr. Ekanem noted that the exercise was designed to take care of about 2000 and 3000 persons, offering treatment for typhoid, malaria, skin infection, and age-related ailments.
” Our findings showed that water scarcity in the area has led to an increase in waterborne disease.”
“We came with a full stock of medication to treat common illnesses such as malaria, typhoid, and scabies. We also discovered that about 35 percent of the residents are elderly, with nearly a third of them aged 70 years and above, so we made provision for ailments like arthritis, poor vision, and other age-related conditions,” he explained.
He noted that the team included optometrists to conduct vision tests and refer serious cases to designated health facilities in partnership with the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health.
” During our planning, we received information from the village Head that over 9000 persons might turn up. Though not everyone will come, we prepared for at least 2000 to 3000 persons, ” he added.
The Chairman of Ibesikpo Asutan LGA, Evang. Edidiong Inyang,in his remark, commended NAS for what he described as a “lifeline” to residents long deprived of safe water and basic healthcare.
He said “this borehole has been abandoned for a long time, and its restoration today brings immense relief not only to Afaha Atai, but to neighbouring villages as well.”
Residents expressed deep gratitude for the intervention. Mr. Edet Edem, one of the beneficiaries, said the free consultation and medication had provided him with much-needed relief.
Edem said” I am very happy because I could not afford hospital treatment. The Seadogs have brought healing and hope to us,”
Similarly, Mrs. Ekaette Udo, a 65-year-old widow, said the outreach had given her a new lease on life.
“For many years, I have been struggling with arthritis and poor vision, but I couldn’t afford hospital bills or pay for drugs but today doctors have checked me, they have given me drugs and eye drops, and medication for joint pains. I thank the Seadogs for remembering people like us,” she said happily.
According to NAS, the initiative reflects its enduring commitment to humanitarian service, public health promotion, and community development, particularly in rural and underserved communities across Nigeria.
