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Physicians Week: NMA Urges Continuous Immunisation Processes
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has said that uninterrupted immunization and Vaccination processes in the country would boost health both child and maternal health thereby enhancing the life expectance rate of Nigerians. The Chairman, Rivers State Chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr. Datonye Alasia stated this at a press conference as part of activities marking the 2017 Physician Week in Port Harcourt, Monday.
Alasia who revealed the theme of the year’s celebration as ‘Declining immunization Coverage: Threat To National Security and Development, way forward with the sub-theme, Career pathways In Medicine: The New Frontiers, noted that the break in Immunization processes in the country in recent times had created a negative impact on the health of most Nigerian Children and stressed the need for a continued process in the services to relief the country of some avoidable stigma of disease endemicity.
Alasia said, “the reason for this theme is apt. it is a fact that many months ago, when the national immunization Surveillance report was released, it was observed that many states in the country had very poor immunization rate. Some states have as low as 20 per cent which is unacceptable. The implication is that so many children between the ages of 12 months to 23 months are out of immunization right and we are still within the first 10 countries where many children are not immunized and this calls for action”.
He averred that immunization was valuable in the prevention of most children –prone diseases that result in death in children less than five years particularity measles, whoping cough, tetanus, diarrhea, respiratory infections as well as some types of cancers. According to him, immunization aids the prevention of cervical cancer with the NPV Vaccine and Liver cancer that can be caused by Hepatitis B Virus infection. The state NMA boss further called on parents and all stakeholders in the health sector to collaborate in ensuring that the country continues its processes of immunization be it the routine or special immunizations.
“Strengthened vaccinations and immunizations are very important in helping us to change our healthcare indices and when our children are immunizaed, they will live longer and it will have impact on our relatively low life expectancy”, Alasia said.
Lady Godknows Ogbulu
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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