News
Hope Rises For Burns Patients In Rivers
Barring any unforeseen adverse circumstances, burns patients will have the opportunity of being treated with artificial skin developed in the laboratory at the Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital in Port Harcourt.
The National Project Coordinator for the International Trauma and Critical Care Centre, Manager of the Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Dr Sidney Ibeanusi disclosed this in an interview with The Tide in his office in Port Harcourt last week.
According to Ibeanusi, a research team from the hospital is working with their German partners, adding that the process of developing artificial skin in the laboratory has reached an advanced stage and their efforts could materialize before the end of this year.
“ We’ve gone to an advanced stage, and we know that before the end of this year, we might be able to bring it to the mainstream,” he said, stressing that apart from saving the lives of burns victims’, the hospital would be able to export artificial skin to other parts of the country.
“ If we’ re able to do that, the number of persons that die from burns will be reduced. We have sent people on training and process has already started. We just need to fine tune it and once that is done, we will be able to export artificial skin to other parts of Nigeria, ‘’ he said.
Ibeanusi said with government’s collaboration and partnership from the giant multinationals operating in Rivers State, the tertiary medical facility will be able to provide sophisticated care to residents in the state at subsidized rate.
“ If we do have the support of both the government and the organized private sector, we offer ourselves to provide the services at a reasonable rate”, he promised.
The trauma specialist also disclosed that the hospital had undertaken about 10 cases of successful brain surgeries since its inception, adding that the latest was that of a 75-year old woman who had a tumor removed from her brain only weeks ago.
“ The peculiar thing about this one is that this is a tumor and the tumor wasquite a large size and had already started causing problem for the patient. The patient was actually billed to travel out ofthe country but the before the processes of visa procurement and flight arrangements, her condition was deteriorating and the family opted that action could be taken locally,’’ he explained.
“We have done about 10 cases of opening the head. We have done quite a lot for patients with stroke a and head injuries. Now, we’ re doing for tumors”,he said, disclosing that those who did the procedure were all Port Harcourt-based Nigerian surgeons but for the imaging doctor.
Ibeanusi regretted that Nigerians were always quick to rush out of the country for medical solution s ever through they could be obtained locally, and attributed the development to both lack of adequate information and confidence in the expertise of their compatriots and he domestic health care delivery system.
Opaka Dokubo
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.
-
News2 days ago
Obuah’s Victory Excites Former Lawmaker as APC Primaries Conclude in Rivers West
-
Politics4 days agoAPC PRIMARIES: FUBARA’S WITHDRAWAL, HISTORIC SACRIFICE FOR NATIONAL STABILITY ……. GROUP
-
News4 days agoCourt Sentences Seven To Death Over Murder Of Cleric In Rivers
-
News2 days ago
105 Nigerians Killed In S/Africa In Seven Years
-
Sports4 days agoPH Arsenal Community Set For Streets Procession, Saturday
-
Niger Delta2 days agoRoyal Father Endorses PH Arsenal Community, Pledges To Support
-
Politics4 days agoIPAC Flays INEC Over Election Guidelines Judgement
-
Politics4 days agoNDC To Adopt Electronic Voting For Future Primaries