Niger Delta

‘Diabetes Claims 420,000 Annually Worldwide’

Published

5 years ago

March 3, 2021

Abourt forty two thousand people die on annual basis world wide as a result of diabetes attack, leaving families of the deceased in pain and agony.
The Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Betta Edu disclosed this in a chat after the leadership of Lions Club International paid her a courtesy visit in her office where they informed her of their intention to partner with the state government to intensify the fight against spread of diabetes.
Edu stated that the Ministry of Health had formed partnership with Lions Club to build a centre which would take care of the numerous cases of diabetes that has put the health of many residents of the state at risk.
Edu who claimed to also be a member of the Lions Club International said, “As we already know, over 420,000 people die of diabetes annually as it has today become a common disease amongst our people even in rural areas with many persons ignorant of having diabetes.
“Your innovations to build a Diabetic Center in Ogoja as well as carrying out a one year sensitisation and treatment exercise across eight PHCs in the State is profound, timely and goes a long way to reduce huge burden from our people as they’ll not have to come down to the State capital to access care.
The commissioner maintained that the centre would serve as one of the legacies by the Lions Club as the centres would assist those outside the state capital particularly those in rural areas to access the care.
“ As a State we’ll support you in all areas and I have granted the needed approval for a space at General Hospital Ogoja for commencement of process.”
Edu stated that the state government resolved to form a partnership with Lions Club International given what the club stands for stressing that the club which has about 1.4 million members around the world with service -minded people who are ready to serve their community without expecting any personal reward, is worthy to be partnered with in the fight against spread of diabetes.
In his remarks, the Club’s District Governor, District 404 A2 Nigeria, Lion Elder Soni Eloma lauded the State Governor, Prof Ben Ayade for massively revamping the health sector which would cater for health need of residents of the state.
Eloma reassured the commissioner of the Club’s readiness to work with the state Government so long as synergy with state government exists.
“We therefore solicit for a plot of land to be allocated to us by the state government within the General Hospital Ogoja so that we can build a diabetes center.
“We also will be running a Diabetes Sensitisation and Treatment Exercise from 2021 through 2022 in eight Primary Health Care facilities across the State.
“Among other things to be done by the club are a primary health care centre which according to him one of the district clubs headed by Lion Ijeoma Aniekan-Atai is already under-going construction in Calabar South LGA.
“The Club also had a plan to build an Emergency Accident Unit in Odukpani LGA to provide health succour and services to our people in partnership with state Government,” he said.

By: Friday Nwagbara, Calabar

Niger Delta

850-bed UCTH overstretched, services 5m patients – CMD

Published

23 hours ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme, has said the 850-bed hospital is overstretched, as it currently serves over five million patients.

He disclosed this on Friday during a media tour of the facility to showcase ongoing renovations and facelift in the hospital.

The CMD noted that, aside being the only tertiary healthcare facility servicing the state, UCTH also serviced neighbouring states of Akwa Ibom and Ebonyi.

He said the hospital also received referrals from neighbouring countries, including Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Central African Republic.

According to him, the 850-bed hospital faced persistent space constraints because of increasing patients inflow and expanding healthcare demands.

“This hospital currently operates 62 clinical and non-clinical departments as well as between 30 and 38 wards covering medical, surgical, paediatric, orthopaedic and specialised services.

“Most wards have undergone facelift, remodelling, or complete renovation to improve patient care and working conditions for healthcare professionals”, he said.

He disclosed that the hospital was constructing a new 106-bed emergency medicine facility to address the rising demand for healthcare services.

According to him, the facility will include trauma bays, intensive care units, neonatal wards, and three fully equipped trauma theatres.

Speaking on the remodeled wards, Ikpeme explained that they followed modern nursing principles, allowing one nurse to attend to a maximum of 10 patients.

He said relatives would be restricted to designated waiting areas to reduce interference with medical procedures and improve emergency response efficiency.

The CMD noted that the hospital had strengthened specialist services in orthopaedics, neurosurgery, obstetrics, radiology, and minimally invasive surgery.

“UCTH now performs hip and knee replacements, arthroscopy, sports medicine, and complex brain tumour surgeries.

“Our surgeons also conduct keyhole procedures for appendectomy, hysterectomy and other conditions with faster patient recovery periods,” he said

In power, the CMD said the hospital relied on solar power from a seven-megawatt plant, constructed by the Federal Government at the University of Calabar, as well as public power supply, and generators to sustain its operations.

He appealed to governments, organisations, and philanthropists to support infrastructure expansion, equipment procurement, and specialised healthcare projects.

The CMD said the hospital required additional incubators, ward expansions, and a stand-alone amenity facility for private healthcare services.

He used the opportunity to dismiss allegations of ethnic discrimination, insisting that the hospital does not reject workers or patients based on tribe or origin.

According to him, the institution recently honoured an Igbo pioneer physician by naming a ward after him in recognition of decades of service.

The CMD said the hospital maintained strict disciplinary procedures to address negligence, poor attitude, and unethical conduct among staff.

The Tide’s source reports that some of the units visited include, intensive care unit, Department of Radiology, Urology Clinic, and Opthalmology Clinic.

Niger Delta

Police Burst Child Trafficking Syndicate In A’Ibom … Nab 3 Suspects

Published

23 hours ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom State says it has busted a child trafficking syndicate and arrested three suspects for conspiracy and unlawful sale of a newborn baby in the State.

The State’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Timfom John, who disclosed this in a statement in Uyo on Friday, said the three female suspects were arrested on Wednesday at about 1900hrs.

She said a complainant reported that his wife gave birth to a baby boy on May 7 and shockingly, shortly after delivery sold the newborn child to one of the suspects for N145, 000.

“Upon receipt of the report, operatives immediately swung into action, leading to the arrest of the suspects and the successful recovery of the baby boy.

“The suspects reportedly confessed to the crime during interrogation, while investigation has been expanded to identify and apprehend all individuals connected to the trafficking syndicate”, John said.

She said the State’s Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, reiterated the Command’s commitment to sustaining aggressive intelligence-led policing in the state.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Launches Operation Crack Down Scrap Dealers

Published

23 hours ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa-Ibom State Government has launched a statewide crackdown on unregistered scrap dealers and scavengers, shutting down illegal operations and arresting operators accused of violating environmental and public safety regulations.

The enforcement operation, led by the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA), followed the implementation of the state’s Waste Metal Scrap Law 2026, officials said.

AKSEPWMA Chairman, Obong Prince Ikim, said the exercise was aimed at regulating the scrap sector, protect the environment, and prevent criminal groups from operating under the guise of waste collection and metal trading.

“If you want to do scrap business, you must register,” Mr. Ikim said during the operation in Uyo, the state capital.

“Many people now hide under scrap trading to perpetrate nefarious activities”, he said.

According to him, dump site operators and scrap dealers who failed to register with the government risked closure and prosecution.

Authorities accused some operators of involvement in vandalism of public infrastructure and indiscriminate waste disposal, adding that investigations had uncovered criminal activities linked to several dump sites across the state.

“Some people vandalise government facilities in the name of scrap business and encourage indiscriminate dumping of refuse,” Mr. Ikim said.

He added that the state government and security agencies would continue efforts to enforce compliance and maintain public order.

“The Commissioner of Police has zero tolerance for criminality, and the Governor wants Akwa Ibom people to sleep with their eyes closed. We will fish out every defaulter”, he said.

Police officials involved in the operation said investigations showed that some criminal suspects used scrap yards and refuse dump sites as cover for illegal activities.

CSP Okwuzulike Vincent of the Itam Police Station said some suspects pretended to be mentally unstable while hiding ammunition and other suspicious items in makeshift shelters around dump locations.

The police officer praised the environmental agency for what he described as proactive efforts to sanitise the sector and pledged continued cooperation between law enforcement and the agency.

Officials said some first-time offenders arrested during the operation were released after profiling and signing undertakings, while repeat offenders would face prosecution.