Residents in Somali region receive free medical services from AU troops

Elderly people, women and children were among those who benefited from the exercise conducted by AMISOM’s Kenya defence forces troops.

JOHANNESBURG, March 30 (ANA) – African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces have provided free medical services to hundreds of people in the Gedo region of Jubaland state as part of their civil military cooperation activities.

In a statement dated Monday, AMISOM said the free medical camp conducted by Kenya Defence Forces troops took place over the weekend in Gedo’s Burahache and Gherrile villages, with elderly people, women and children among the beneficiaries.

AMISOM undertook the exercise to provide access to local communities who often lack proper medical attention, the commanding officer for the Burahache forward operating base Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Rotich said.

“The beneficiaries were treated for various ailments with both curative and preventive medicine. Our doctors also offered free professional advice to the locals on how to live healthy lives. It was very successful, and we are happy to support the local population,” said Rotich.

In addition, AMISOM donated medical supplies to the Hoosingo dispensary, an important primary healthcare facility for people living around the area.

“We thank AMISOM troops for handing over medical drugs in our facility which will benefit many families in our region,” Hoosingo dispensary administrator Mohamed Ibrahim said.

During the exercise, the forces urged locals to closely work with the government and AMISOM in the fight against Al-Shabaab terrorists in order to help improve security in Somalia.

Last week AMISOM supplied clean potable water and food to Burahache and Gherrile residents, benefiting over 400 households.

– African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Stella Mapenzauswa