Military Hospital Extends HIV/AIDS Care To Civilians

The Commanding Officer, Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital, Lagos, Commodore Tamunoibikari Epelle, has said that the Nigerian Navy’s free comprehensive HIV/AIDS support would be extended to civilians.

Epelle told our correspondent  at the end of the third Annual Thanksgiving day celebration of the hospital in Lagos that the programme was open to all, whether in or out of uniform.

He also told our correspondent that the navy had in 2011 sponsored six medical naval personnel of the hospital on international courses abroad in a bid to improve professional standard.

“The Directorate had in the past one year sent six of our medical personnel abroad for professional courses in different medical areas.

“The Nigerian Navy is one of the major sites of NMOD-USD HIV programme which provides free comprehensive care, treatment and support for victims of HIV/AIDS,’’ he said

Earlier in his speech, Epelle said that not less than 982 screened and counselled victims had been enrolled into the programme and 557 were on the antiretroviral drugs while 50 were being treated for tuberculosis infection.

Epelle, however, noted that though the hospital had recorded much success during the year, there existed challenges of inadequate manpower to handle the 17 departments of the hospital.

“We currently have a total workforce of 435, comprising of 379 permanent staff, 40 officers, 215 ratings and 124 Ministry of Defence civilian staff. The shortage is mostly of doctors, nurses and radio diagnosis,’’ he said.

He added that the hospital needed expansion of its administrative block and a diagnostic centre, among a host of other needs, as a result of increase in patronage.

The President of Naval Officers Wives Association, Hajiya Aminat Ibrahim, in a message to the event,commended the naval hospital for being strategic and instrumental in ensuring a healthy naval force.

“Despite the numerous challenges of manpower and equipment, the naval hospital has continued to strive and maintain an acceptable and commendable level of service,’’ she said

The Tide learnt that Ibrahim, who spoke through Mrs Olajumoke Oyeghe, urged the staff and management of the hospital to show compassion and understanding to patients, and also strive to improve their working relationship with them.

She implored them not to rest on their oars, but continue to improve as there was no room for stagnation or retrogression.