News
Upgrade For BMSH
As part of measures to upgrade healthcare facilities in the state-owned Braithwaite Specialist Memorial Hospital (BMSH), the Rivers State Government has acquired Pulmonary Check and Gene Expert machines to screen infants for HIV/AIDS.
The gene machines, according to the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Theophilus Odagme is to test patients of Tuberculosis.
Odagme told newsmen last weekend in Port Harcourt that the state government has equally set up a cancer committee with a registry following the rising cases of cancer in the state.
With plans by the Federal Government to set up a radiotherapy centre in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, (UPTH), the state commissioner for health said the state government will tap from the centre by sending cancer patients to the facility for treatment.
Further explaining measures put in place to check cancer in the state, Odagme said government has raised awareness campaigns, adding that, “at BMSH, we have oncologists, and they are managing cancer patients.”
On the achievements so far made by the Wike administration in the health sector, the commissioner stated that already, both primary and secondary healthcare have been reorganised.
“We are improving services at the primary healthcare centres. The issues of strike and other labour actions that were common in the past administration have been curtailed,” he said.
He recalled that as part of measures to check communicable and non-communicable diseases, the Wike administration, in collaboration with development agencies, contained the threat of Lassa Fever, insisting that, “we have since engaged in capacity building to tackle diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria and HIV/AIDS, and there is cancer awareness going on now in the state.”
Meanwhile, the commissioner for health has disclosed plans by the state government to commence renovation works on the general hospitals across the state.
The commissioner said this was in line with the vision of the administration to provide quality healthcare all-round the state and reduce the pressure on the tertiary healthcare facilities in the state.
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.
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