News
RSG Recommits To Care For HIV/AIDS Patients
The Rivers State Government has restated its commitment to facilitate treatment, and provide care and support for victims of the dreaded Human Immune Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) as well as fast-track programmes to stave-off stigmatization and encourage reintegration through sensitization and capacity building.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Theophilus Odagme, who gave the reassurance on the sideline of “Health In Danger” stakeholders’ roundtable organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Port Harcourt, last week, explained that pragmatic measures, strategic structures and functional centres have already been put in place with experts to provide counseling services, conduct testing and treatment for HIV/AIDS patients.
Odagme emphasized that the state government, through the Ministry of Health and the State Agency for the Control of AIDS (SACA), has for decades been collaborating with the Society for Family Health (SFH), Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and other international donor agencies and funding partners to scale up testing and access to vaccines for the treatment of HIV/AIDS across the state.
The commissioner expressed excitement at the interest shown by the ICRC and the Nigerian Red Cross in efforts to bridge not just the manpower and infrastructure but also technical deficit through well-articulated intervention measures to reduce the negative impact of an almost broken-down healthcare system.
He noted the readiness of the government to strengthen the capacity of SACA to deliver on its mandate by effectively and efficiently driving aggressive implementation of policies and programmes to combat the spread and prevalence of HIV/AIDS while reducing the burden of the disease on the state and its economy.
Odagme encouraged the people of state, especially those who may be vulnerable to the virus, to voluntarily visit any of the designated centres for counseling, testing, treatment and care from healthcare givers and professionals dedicated to providing such services to promote quality healthcare delivery in the state.
The commissioner praised the sterling records of impeccable voluntary humanitarian services, particularly in responding to emergency healthcare needs of victims of armed conflicts and violence across the globe, and hoped that the ICRC would deploy its huge resources, both human and material, to ensure that the challenges endangering sustainable healthcare delivery in the state are brought to the barest minimum.
In her remarks, the Head of Delegation, ICRC Office in Port Harcourt, Dorsa Nazemi-Salman, said that the international humanitarian organization decided to establish presence in the state because of its importance in the overall development of the country.
She said that recent cult-related violence in the state required concerted efforts of government and neutral institutions with reputation for providing unblemished emergency humanitarian services in the healthcare sector to reduce to burden of insecurity on the socio-economic growth and stability of the state.
The ICRC operations arrow-head in the South-South praised the foresight and doggedness of the Governor Nyesom Wike-led administration to invest heavily in efforts to mitigate the consequences of the risk factors in the present socio-economic realities by partnering with all stakeholders to restore peace and confidence in the state.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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