Niger Delta
Doctors Without Borders Reassure Rape Victims Of Free Treatment, Care
The Global Medical Ambassadors, Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) have reassured rape victims in Rivers State of the commitment to provide round-the-clock free medical treatment, care and psycho-social counselling and support to enable them reintegrate seamlessly into the society.
They said that this reassurance had become necessary to create the awareness for victims of rape to overcome stigmatisation and the trauma by coming out of their withdrawal and report the unfortunate incident to specialists at designated healthcare facilities in the state for immediate attention.
The doctors stated this during a courtesy visit to the General Manager, Rivers State Newspaper Corporation (RSNC), publishers of The Tide Newspapers Mr Vincent Ake in his office in Port Harcourt.
Leader of the DWB delegation and Project Coordinator, Romain Briey stressed the importance of public awareness of the availability of specialist doctors, designated health centres for treatment and counseling, range of services offered and emergency phone numbers to call for help, assuring that all medical tests, treatment, care and support, including counseling are not only free but also conducted with utmost confidentiality.
Briey explained that the two existing clinics open for rape victims in Port Harcourt had been attending to patients over the last two years, with the capacity to handle as many cases as possible, but regretted that the turnout of rape victims had been discouraging despite its occurrence everyday in the society.
He emphasised that the key challenge facing the centres was the low turnout of patients in spite of the high prevalence of rape cases in the society, adding that the team has been trying to promote the activities of the clinics to enable victims know that they could receive free comprehensive medical services and psycho-social counseling to enhance inclusiveness in the state.
The project coordinator noted the clear tendency for rape victims to contract diseases such as sexually transmitted infections, including human immune virus (HIV), gonorrhea, Hepatitis B, among others, if incident is kept secret for fear of stigmatisation.
Briey listed the first four basic steps rape victims must take to include, seeking care within the first three days, getting treatment to prevent contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), getting treatment for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) as well as counseling, and appealed to rape victims and anyone with knowledge of rape incidents to call: 0903 355 5455 or 0705 889 0060, assuring that every case would be treated with utmost confidentiality.
The Outreach Manager, Caroline Walker noted that Orogbum Health Centre, Ogbunabali, by Garrison Bus Stop, Port Harcourt, which provides 24hours services; and Model Primary Health Centre, Eliozu, Eliozu Town, off Eliozu Flyover, Port Harcourt open from 7am -7pm, were designated centres for the treatment of rape victims, and assured that “if a rape victim comes within the first 72 hours after being raped, medication can be given to stop these infections multiplying and spreading around their body.
“We would like members of the society, especially victims of rape, who have experienced the quality care and services we offer to tell the people about the clinics and our presence here in Port Harcourt, to make them just as popular as Teme Clinic when it was still functioning,” she explained.
In his response, the GM, RSNC, Mr Vincent Ake attributed the poor turnout of rape victims to the two clinics to fear of stigmatization for obvious social and cultural reasons, adding that many people were yet to understand the negative consequences of not reporting rape cases to the appropriate authorities for medical attention.
Ake promised the readiness of The Tide Newspaper to play the necessary role in creating needed awareness on the availability of the treatment and care centres and the free services they provide to rape victims in the state, and urged other relevant organizations and stakeholders to join hands with Doctors Without Borders and the two health facilities to address the challenged identified by the team.
Earlier, one of the doctors working with the team, Dr Chuku Adanda said, “If someone has been raped, it is important they get medical care as soon as possible”, explaining that, “If a rape victim comes within the first 72hours after being raped, we can give her medication to stop the infections multiplying and spreading around their body”.
Also speaking, a psychologist with the DWB, Maranatha Nnamani, said “We want people to know and come as soon as possible to the clinic for medical care but also for counseling. Whenever someone has been raped, even if it was a long time ago, they can still come to the clinic to talk to a counselor”.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages
The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.