Rivers
RSUTH Records Milestone On Foetomaternal Medicine
The Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) has recorded another milestone following last Friday’s unveiling of the first-ever Foetomaternal Medicine Unit in Rivers State and one of the very few in Nigeria.
This indicates a significant stride towards advanced healthcare for expectant mothers and their unborn children.
The inauguration ceremony was held on the 20th of October, 2023, and marked a historic moment in the region’s medical landscape.
The Foetomaternal Medicine Unit, a state-of-the-art facility, aims to provide comprehensive care to pregnant women and their babies, addressing a wide range of complex maternal and fetal conditions.
Equipped with cutting-edge technology and staffed by highly skilled healthcare professionals, the unit is poised to become a beacon of hope for mothers in the region, ensuring their well-being and that of their newborns.
The Acting Chief Medical Director (Ag. CMD) of Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Prof Chinzindu A. Alikor, expressed his enthusiasm about the new unit, saying, “this milestone achievement underscores our commitment to enhancing maternal and child healthcare in Rivers State and in Nigeria at large.
Prof. Chinzindu Akubudike Alikor, Ag CMD, RSUTH
“The Foetomaternal Medicine unit will be a centre of excellence in Nigeria, where referrals from other centres will be sent, post-fellowship training and sub-specialisation in Foetomaternal medicine will be conducted, our Resident doctors will be trained, and, to crown it all, impactful research projects will be carried out”.
He thanked the State Governor for his commitment and ongoing support to improving healthcare delivery for Rivers people, which, he said, has motivated the creation of the Foetomaternal Medicine Unit in RSUTH.
Prof Mkpe Abbey, a renowned Professor of Foetomaternal medicine and community obstetrics, who will be leading the unit, shared his vision, saying, “Regarding practical services, the unit will revolutionise the practice of feotal medicine in the country.
“Women will be screened for preterm birth, pre-eclampsia, Fetal Growth restriction, chromosomal abnormalities, congenital abnormalities in general, Twin-to-Twin Transmission Syndrome (TTTS) in monochorionic pregnancies and placenta accrete spectrum.
“The whole idea is to screen for those conditions that kill babies and mothers early in pregnancy so that prophylactic measures can be put in place.
“Preterm birth is associated with more than 50 percent of foetuses and babies that die. Pre-eclampsia/eclampsia is responsible for more than 25 percent of babies and 25 percent mothers who die.
“So, a situation whereby we screen for these conditions and prevent more than 50 percent of the deaths that would have occurred is a great feat in the healthcare landscape of the State.
“The unit will conduct evidence-based growth monitoring, including doppler studies such as Umbilical Artery Doppler, Middle Cerebral Artery, and Ductus Venosus, predict babies that are likely to die and recommend earlier delivery.
“The unit will also run early pregnancy and gynaecological ultrasound services as including One-stop early pregnancy services for early pregnancy bleeding and Etopic Pregnancies, one-stop screening for Gynaecological Oncology, namely, checking for Endometrial thickness and Endometrial biopsy with the availability of pipelle.
“Furthermore, the unit will develop to be specialised feotal medicine units, including feotal surgery, and also strive to be a centre for International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) study and guidelines in Nigeria”.
“The Foetomaternal Medicine Unit at RSUTH stands as a testament to the region’s progress in healthcare.
“Its opening signifies a new era of advanced medical care, providing hope and assurance to countless expectant mothers and their families”, the Acting CMD stated.
By: Sogbeba Dokubo
A former supervisory councillor for Health in Etche local government of Rivers state, Eld Chimezie Ogbu has been honoured with an excellent service Award by the Adventist men Organisation (AMO), Port Harcourt west mission.
Eld Chimezie Ogbu, received the award for alongside fifteen others for his contributions and support to the association and uplifting humanity.
Elder Chimezie Ogbu left receiving the Rivers west mission AMO Excellent Service Award from the former AMO Director and the former General manager, RSNC, Eld Vincent Ake during the extra ordinary meeting of AMO held at Rumuolumini, Sunday.
Speaking during an extra ordinary and end of year meeting, the Director of Adventist men Organisation, Port Harcourt west mission, Dr Sam Emejuru said the award was in recognition to Hon Ogbu’s contributions and support to the association, noting that Eld Chimezie Ogbu have been one of the sponsors of the Association in the mission.
Dr Emejuru who was a fomer chairman of the state secondary school Board noted invaluable contributions of the recipients to the association and the church at large and urged them to continue to be generous in the development of church and humanity.
In an interview with the tide, Hon Chimezie Ogbu, a serving elder in the seventh-day adventist church, Rumuolumeni District expressed appreciation to the Association, adding that the award will encourage him to do more
He highlighted the importance of investing in God’s vineyard and to help humanity and dedicated the award to God Almighty and members of his family.
Members of landlords of Ceenamore and Iroko Drives in Cedarwood Estate, Rumuaholu, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, have urged the Inspector General of Police and the State Police Commissioner, CP Olungbenga Adepoju, to urgently act on the petition they sent to him regarding the alleged move by the Managing Director of Niger Delta Technology & property development Ltd, Engr. Stephen Nyegwa, to demolish their estate.
The group alleged that the MD of Niger Delta Logistics Limited had purportedly, through a court judgment notice, claimed that he had gotten an order to demolish the estate.
Speaking to journalists at the estate, Mr. Manuabuchi Elem Chioma, one of the affected landlords, said the call becomes very imperative following the continued harassment by Mr. Nyegwa and his associates, noting that they woke up and discovered that their houses have been marked for demolition.
Also speaking, Barrister Victor Okezie urged the police to act swiftly to save landlords of the estate from the impending problem, stressing that they are ready to comply if there is a confirmed valid court judgment.
Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) have inaugurated an ultra-modern, specialised Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for youth empowerment in innovations.
The fully equipped ICT centre, located at Baptist High School in the city, was inaugurated as part of the close-out ceremony for the Human Capital Development Basic Training Programme.
Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Mr. Felix Ogbe, stated this in a statement issued on Friday by the Manager of Corporate Communication and Public Affairs at NLNG, Mrs. Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku.
He described the ICT centre as a gateway to knowledge and innovation, as well as a window to future opportunities.
Represented by the organisation’s General Manager of Institutional Strengthening, Mr. Olugbenga Sheba, Ogbe explained that the project was designed to equip young Nigerians with digital skills to prepare them for a technology-driven world.
“The remodelled ICT centre is more than a building. It is a statement of belief that students here can learn coding, design, and innovation that connects them with the wider world.
“It represents our confidence that when given the right tools, Nigerian students can become creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs”, he said.
Ogbe commended NLNG for its continued collaboration with the NCDMB and its steadfast commitment to advancing Nigerian Content objectives.
He added that the partnership demonstrated what could be achieved through meaningful collaboration between government and corporate stakeholders, noting that such investments would help build a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.
NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Dr. Sophia Horsfall, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to compliance with Nigerian Content regulations and its dedication to improving lives sustainably.
She emphasised that NLNG was passionate about enhancing human capital development and promoting technological inclusion, both of which were aimed at improving employability and industry-relevant skills among young Nigerians.
According to Horsfall, the project aligns with NLNG’s vision of empowering communities through education and technology.
“The upgraded ICT centre, which complies with existing NCDMB regulations, is an investment that provides students with a modern learning environment and equips teachers with improved tools to deliver quality education”, she said.
The Tide reports that the ICT centre has been upgraded to a 40-seater facility and equipped with 20KVA solar and inverter system.
The facility also includes renovated classrooms and administrative buildings, as well as digital smart boards and modern learning tools.
Meanwhile, Palmer-Ikuku, in the statement, announced the graduation of 30 trainees under the Human Capital Development Basic Training Programme jointly organised by both organisations.
She stated that the trainees earned international certifications after completing rigorous training in Engineering, Marine Operations, Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), and Entrepreneurship, among other disciplines.
According to Palmer-Ikuku, the training underscores the shared mission of NLNG and NCDMB to build local capacity, promote technological inclusion, and support Nigeria’s broader vision of sustainable development through education and skill acquisition.
By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso