News
More Access To Health In Rivers …As RSG Partners ICRC In Rural Coverage
As part of measures to improve healthcare delivery, the Rivers State Government said it has put measures in place to ensure there is safe access to healthcare institutions, facilities and workers across the communities in the state.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Theophilus Odagme, made this disclosure in Port Harcourt during a press interview on the resolution of the various stakeholders in the healthcare sector, following discussions of various committees constituted on April 12, 2016 to find workable solutions that could bridge the gaps that threaten healthcare in rural communities in the state.
Odagme said: “This meeting is put in place today, with the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) in a bid to talk policy issues identified by the various stakeholders. We have looked at the legal frame work to ensure that we make healthcare safe. When we talk about healthcare, we are talking about the health facilities, workers and everyone that needs to be attended to in the health sector, so that they are safe.”
He noted that various groups such as the security agencies, healthcare workers, civil society organisations (CSOs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs) were involved, noting that there was the need for the formulation of strategies to reach all stakeholders.
According to him, “We try to formulate strategies to reach them at the community levels, in the creeks, wherever they are, so they have respect for healthcare system and facilities because when healthcare is affected, whether by kidnap of a healthcare worker or attack on healthcare institution or any healthcare facility, including ambulances, the community suffers.
“So, by this collaboration with ICRC, we want to stem the tide of attacks on the healthcare workers, facilities and system because it is not the business of healthcare institutions alone, it affects the communities too”.
Odagme emphasised that in order to stem the tide, all stakeholders, including the Rivers State Government, ICRC, private practitioners, CSOs, Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), the security agencies, among others, must be involved.
Odagme emphasized further that one of the ways to minimize healthcare deficit in the state is by incorporating the trained ICRC volunteers from the various communities, among others, to play their part in ensuring sustainability of the quality healthcare delivery in the communities.
The Head of ICRC South-East in Port Harcourt, Mrs Dorsa Nazemi-Salman, recalled that on April 12, 2016, the ICRC and other stakeholders charted a way forward to reduce ‘Healthcare In Danger,’ including how to tame violence against healthcare workers and facilities, and added that support of all was needed to achieve desired results.
Dorsa said: “With all the stakeholders put in place to decide how these issues could be addressed, by proffering solutions on the way forward in collaboration with CSOs, other international organizations, MWAN, I am very optimistic that we are going to have some positive results that would enable unhindered access by rural dwellers to healthcare services.”
She emphasized that ICRC, as an independent humanitarian and a neutral organization, has always engaged with community members before entering communities, noting that Rivers was one of the few states in the country benefiting from its intervention programme to address the threats posed to healthcare in rural communities, especially ravaged by violence and conflicts.
Dorsa listed other states to include Bayelsa, Delta, Edo and Nasarawa, and appealed to communities affected by cult-related violence, and other conflicts to encourage healthcare providers, protect facilities and institutions to save more lives and promote sustainability of quality healthcare delivery in the state.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
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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