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COVID-19: Military Unveils 17 Isolation, Treatment Centres

The Nigerian Military, yesterday, named 17 isolation and treatment centres across the country for the management of confirmed Coronavirus cases.
It also confirmed that an unnamed military officer, who recently returned from overseas assignment, tested positive for COVID-19 and has been admitted at the Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital in Abuja.
The Coordinator of the Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, who briefed journalists at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, also disclosed that the Armed Forces will implement the restriction on movement as contained in the Presidential directive.
He listed the isolation and treatment centres to include; the 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Yaba; 2 Division Hospital, Ibadan; Military Hospital, Port Harcourt; Navy Reference Hospital, Calabar; and the Military Hospital, Benin.
Others are: the 211 Regiment Group Medical Centre, Owerri; 82 Division Military Hospital, Enugu; 161 Nigerian Air Force Hospital, Makurdi; 22 Brigade Medical Centre, Ilorin; 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna; 465 Nigerian Air Force Hospital, Kano; and the 263 Nigerian Air Force Reference Hospital, Daura.
Also listed were 119 Composite Group Medical Centre, Sokoto; 261 Nigerian Air Force Reference Hospital, Bauchi; 163 Nigerian Air Force Hospital, Yola; 7 Division Military Hospital, Maiduguri; and 27 Task Force Brigade Field Ambulance, Damaturu.
According to Enenche, “You may recall that on March 27, 2020, I briefed you on the highlights of the level of preparedness of the Nigerian Military in support of the Federal Government of Nigeria towards tackling the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In this regard, I am to give you more details on the preparedness of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, which are as follows: A Committee headed by the Chief of Defence Training and Operations, Major General Leo Irabor, is in place interfacing with all relevant ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria managing the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As mentioned in my first briefing regarding COVID-19, there are 17 isolation and treatment centres earmarked which are spread across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
“Further to this, a good number of Armed Forces of Nigerian medical personnel have been earmarked to be trained on the management of COVID-19 cases, which will be done in liaison with Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)”.
He added that, “in the same vein, about 48 Disaster Response Units of the Armed Forces of Nigeria are on Notice To Move in conjunction with NEMA. These units will handle operations other than medicals that may arise in the course of this non kinetic military operation.
“Finally, the Armed Forces of Nigeria is to implement all restriction on movement in line with the Federal Government of Nigeria. For the avoidance of doubt, this includes the Presidential Directive given by the President Commander-In-Chief, during his address to the Nation on the COVID-19 pandemic, on March 29, 2020.
“The High Command of Nigerian Military hereby solicits for the support of the general public in this trying period of the fight against COVID-19. This can be achieved by adhering to all the medical and administrative guidelines being provided by government at all levels”.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), also, yesterday, said the Armed Forces of Nigeria is ready to execute the Presidential directive on the fight against the Coronavirus (Covid-19)
The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen John Enenche, speaking at a news conference, yesterday in Abuja, said the military has a two-way plan, including giving medical support and security aspects to assist in curbing the spread of COVID-19.
Enenche noted that the military was ready to implement all restrictions on movement in line with the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“The military would act in support of the civil authorities to enforce the restriction of movement.
He said that the penalty for those who would flaunt the restriction order would be handled by the police, adding that military personnel had been adequately trained on how to perform their duties.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this includes the Presidential Directive given by the President, Commander-In-Chief during his address to the nation on the COVID-19 pandemic, on March 29, 2020.
“The High Command of Nigerian Military hereby solicits the support of the general public in this trying period of the fight against COVID-19.
“This can be achieved by adhering to all the medical and administrative guidelines being provided by the government at all levels,’’ he added.