Nigerian Army needs more medical personnel — Major-General Okeke

For the Nigerian Army to meet with the medical demands especially as it fights against insurgency in North-East and other security challenges in the country, the Corps Commander Medical, Major-General Ikechukwu Okeke, said that more medical personnel were needed.

The corps commander sated this on Tuesday at the commissioning of the upgraded and renovated facilities of the 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Yaba, Lagos.

According to Okeke,  “I wish to humbly appeal to the Chief of Army Staff , Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, to continue the gesture of recuitement and commissioning of medical personnel to fill the gaps.

“I also commend the efforts being made to persuade the MOD to absorb some temporary civilian staff employed by the hospitals to ease the salary burden.”

At the commissioning of the facilities,  the Commander noted that the renovated hospitals which were constructed during the Colonial era were in a terrible State before the intervention of the COAS.

He stated that the new facilities will boost the morale of troops and civilians who would benefit from the facilities.

“The completion of this upgrade and renovation will no doubt increase the capacity of the hospital in the discharge of its responsibility in a healthy and accommodating environment.” he said.

Speaking at commissioning of the  facilities  which included the Specialists Clinic,  Record Department, Directly Observed Treatment Short Course Centre,  Consultant Offices and male/Female surgical wards, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS)  Tukur Buratai said the importance of medical services to military missions can not be over emphasized.

Buratai who was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Major-General Rasheed Yusuf, said he was committed to upgrading and improving the medical facilities in the Nigerian Army.

He noted that the necessity for having corps trained personnel informed the decision to commission 72 doctors in the field.

“I will continue to encourage personnel of the medical corps to attend courses to keep them updated on current medical practices.

“To achieve this, I have increased the number of corps personnel for sponsorship in several institutions from six to 10 per annum.

“I have also released funds for the improvement of facilities in the Nigerian Army College of Nursing to enable it meet accreditation requirements and be able to admit civilian students.

“This will assist in providing the right calibre of staff to man these renovated facilities for the deployment of medical personnel in formations and units of the army,” he said.

Buratai, who said more of such renovations were underway, enjoined the staff to put the facility to use optimally as well as ensure adequate maintenance of the structure

Similarly,  the COAS also inaugurated the Nigerian Army College of Logistics remodelled students’ hostel in Bonny Camp, Victoria Island, Lagos.

During the inauguration, Buratai said that the army had employed retired personnel to train officers, aimed at enhancing professional training and operational efficiency.

According to him, “New instructors are being employed including the re-engagement of retired and discharged personnel to enhance professional training.

“The army places high premium on training of personnel as veritable tool for inculcating knowledge, skills and attitude to attain a battle winning force capable of meeting contemporary security challenges.”

The Commandant of the college, Major-General Richard Duru, in his opening remarks, said that the  inauguration of the school was in line with the transformation agenda which was in tandem with the COAS vision and directive.

At the series of commissioning which had  the 81 Division General Officer Commanding, Maj.-Gen. Enobong Udoh and other senior military officer both serving and retired in attendance, the commandants’ quarters was also commissioned at AN barracks.