News
Mosquitoes, Termites Terrorise UPTH
Patients on admission at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) and visitors alike are now groaning over repeated attacks by mosquitoes and termites which feed fat on them while in the hospital.
Investigations show that many, who spend long hours in the hospital, especially in the night hours, risk ailments sequel to mosquito and termite bites.
Some patients and visitors, who spoke to The Tide, yesterday, said the hospital needed urgent attention to avert a degeneration of the situation to serious health crisis.
The Tide reports that in almost all the departments and units, the situation is also the same.
But when this correspondent visited the hospital, it was noticed that power supply was an added necessity.
Nurses at the male surgical ward were seen at night using rechargeable torchlight to attend to patients.
When one of the nurses was asked why the place was in darkness, she said “Oga, go inside, and find out from the management”.
Investigations revealed that on the walls in every part of the hospital, smears of blood were common features.
It was discovered that from the Orthopaedic Ward to the Endoscopy and Labour wards, the story was the same.
The same situation was noticeable at the Urology, Ante-Natal, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and other wards visited, including the reception of the hospital and areas around the Chief Medical Director’s Office.
An adolescent whose daughter was admitted at the Orthopaedic Ward expressed happiness that his daughter had been discharged as they would escape further mosquito invasion.
“You come to the hospital with a particular ailment, and the mosquitoes add malaria to it, and make your treatment complicated,” he said.
His daughter was also happy about her discharge due to the battle against mosquitoes and termites.
He also stressed that inmates of the wards were good customers to hawkers of electric bats used in trapping and burning mosquitoes and termites, with some buying up to three.
The Tide gathered that each bat sells for N2,500.
A middle-aged woman and her visiting relations and friends described the experience as a “fight to the finish”.
She felt sorry that her fractured leg was yet to be operated upon after a week on admission, but showed strong readiness to face the invading parasites.
An inmate at the Urology Ward said no patient could survive it against mosquitoes’ invasion without procuring the electric bats, a Chinese product.
His sibling, who gave his name as Eugene, displayed the thick stockings covering her feet.
He said all precaution had to be considered to beat the mosquitoes and termites to the game.
Bethel Toby
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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