No fewer than 500 less privileged and aged persons in Calabar benefited from a free eye and dental treatment offered by a construction firm.
Mr Edward Duke, the Managing Director of Diamond 7 Construction Ltd, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Monday that the gesture was part of the activities lined up to celebrate his 30th birthday.
Addressing the beneficiaries at Ediba Primary Health Care Centre, Calabar, Duke, who is the son of former Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mr Edem Duke, said that the humanitarian service was a way of giving back to the society by caring for the aged and indigent.
He said the Chairman of the company, Amb. Emmanuel Uwechue, contributed a lot in making the outreach a success, adding that more humanitarian services will be conducted as the company grows.
“What is going on here today is a humanitarian health outreach carried out by the management of Diamond 7 Construction Ltd.
“As a way of celebrating my 30th birthday today, I have chosen to uplift the health standard of our people by procuring all these drugs, medicated eye lenses and putting the medical team together to deliver services to the people.
“It is the grace of God that I am 30 today. Clocking 30 is a year of total responsibility and the beginning of real maturity.
“I am happy that this large number came out today for this free medical outreach,’’ he said.
Dr Inyang Asibong, the state Commissioner for Health, commended Duke for his initiative in caring for the aged.
“One of the ways of caring for our aged is by giving them good health. What you have done today is commendable and we in the ministry of health appreciates this gesture,’’ she said.
Dr Betta Edu, the Director-General of Cross River Primary HealthCare Agency, lauded Duke for the kind gesture, adding that the eye glasses and drugs will go a long way in correcting the sights of the beneficiaries.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Patience Edem, 71, who was tested and given free medicated glasses and drugs, told NAN that she was unable to see far objects, but the eye glass would help in correcting her sight.
Other beneficiaries, who spoke with NAN at the health centre, also lauded Duke for the outreach, his love and care for the aged in the society.