Health

ARD-UATH trains 237 officers on how to handle accident emergency victims

Published

1 year ago

June 21, 2025

By NAN

The Association of Resident Doctors, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (ARD-UATH), Gwagwalada, says it has trained 237 law enforcement officers in FCT on how to handle accident emergency victims.

The beneficiaries of the training are from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and men of the Directorate of Road Traffic Service (DRTS), all from the Gwagwalada Command of the FCT.

The association disclosed this on Friday in Abuja.

The association also disclosed that the training also came along with free medical services to enable the officers have a good state of mind while carrying out their duty.

Reacting to the training and medical outreach, Dr. Adams Egwakhide, the Chief of Staff/Chairman, Committee on Special Duties, ARD-UATH said the training started on Wednesday June 18 and came to an end on Friday June 20.

Egwakhide said that the decision to carry out the exercise was informed by the recognition that men in service often face unique health challenges and barriers to accessing timely care due to the demanding nature of their jobs.

According to him, many prioritised their work over their own health and sometimes it gets to the extent of complications before they begin to take action.

He explained that the outreach was the association way of bringing essential health services directly to the officers, raising awareness, and encouraging early detection and treatment.

Egwakhide said that it was also way of showing appreciation for dedication to serving the association community, adding that the exercise was also to foster a working and synergistic relationship with the officers in service.

“This partnership is essential in building mutual trust and opening the lines of communication between resident doctors and their colleagues in other government agencies within Gwagwalada Abuja.

“The primary aim of the outreaches was to promote the health and wellbeing of men in service through health education, capacity building and screening for common diseases.

“Our main objectives was to provide free health checks and consultations, raise awareness about common health issues affecting men and women such as hypertension, breast and cervical cancer, viral hepatitis and others.

“It is also to encourage them about lifestyle changes and regular follow-up, foster trust, partnership and co-operation between ARD-UATH and other government institutions,” he said.

Egwakhide disclosed that in the nearest future, the outreach would be to marketplaces, schools, churches, orphanages and other government agencies within the Gwagwalada axis and other underserved areas, where people might not have easy access to regular healthcare.

According to him, for this to be possible, the association hope to collaborate with other institutions and stakeholders like the Gwagwalada area council and some NGOs.

He said that feedback from the training and medical outreach had been overwhelmingly positive from the beneficiaries, where many of them expressed their gratitude for the convenience and care provided.

Egwakhide stated that some of the beneficiaries disclosed that it was their first time undergoing some of the screening test like Hepatitis B, adding that the most rewarding part was how the personnel welcomed the exercise and how enthusiastic they were.

Speaking also, Dr Adewale-Premiere Adeleye, the President ARD-UATH, expressed his delight about the programme, saying that the exercise had sealed the collaborative and partnership aim with law enforcement agencies in Gwagwalada.

He said that he was particularly happy about the gesture that coming during his own tenure and that it ws coming at the time the synergy was mostly needed.

“It is my ultmost joy that we are able to build the capacity of these service men on “How to Handle Accident/Unconscious Victims” and some form of basic life Slsupport techniques as first responder during accident.

“I also think this is necessary especially now that we are battling with Human Capital Flight (The Japa Syndrome) in the Health sector, I feel those who have chosen to stay back in the country and practice as doctors should not encounter any encumbrance on the road either going for call or returning home from their respective duties.

“Like I told the service bosses, an average Nigerian Resident Doctor is a Law abiding citizen. I am happy that we are able to make impact as an association by giving back to the society and the community we belong,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 80 officers of the FRSC, 117 of the NPF and 40 DRTS, formerly VIO were the beneficiaries.

(NAN)

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Health

Football Legends to Light Up Nigeria in NICRAT’s World Soccer Legends Cancer Match

Published

4 weeks ago

September 2, 2026

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is set to witness a football spectacle as some of the world’s greatest football legends converge for the First World Soccer Legends War Against Cancer International Charity Football Match Nigeria 2026.

The star-studded event, backed by the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), is designed to combine football entertainment with a major campaign to raise cancer awareness, promote early detection and mobilise resources for prevention and treatment.

The initiative, themed “Play for Prevention, Score for Life,” was unveiled on Wednesday in Abuja with the official launch of the event logo, kits and a 60-day countdown to the international charity match.

The campaign is expected to feature former international football stars while bringing together cancer advocates, government institutions, corporate organisations, development partners and other stakeholders in a united effort against the disease.

Speaking on behalf of NICRAT Director-General, Prof. Usman Aliyu, Dr Margaret Sawyer said the institute was supporting the initiative because of its potential to take cancer-awareness messages to millions of Nigerians.

She said the campaign would go beyond fundraising by educating Nigerians on cancer prevention, early detection and the need to seek medical attention promptly.

According to her, football offers a unique platform for reaching diverse communities, while the influence of football legends could help deliver important health messages to a wider audience.

Earlier, National Coordinator of the Main Organising Committee (MOC), Mr Jacob Onu, said the event was conceived to transcend the boundaries of sport and evolve into a national and international movement against cancer.

Onu said the participation of former football stars would amplify messages on cancer prevention, screening, treatment, research and support for patients and survivors.

He added that the event would also celebrate life, honour those who had lost their lives to cancer and inspire survivors and people currently battling the disease.

“Together, through football, compassion and collective action, we can win the War Against Cancer,” he said.

Onu called on Nigerians across the 774 local government areas to become ambassadors of the campaign by promoting healthy lifestyles, regular medical checks and early medical intervention.

He also appealed to corporate organisations, philanthropists, international organisations, football stakeholders, media organisations and development partners to support the initiative.

The MOC coordinator commended NICRAT, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), sponsors, partners and other stakeholders for their support.

He assured that the organising committee would deliver an event capable of meeting international standards while creating a lasting legacy in cancer awareness, advocacy, humanitarian support and sports development.

In his goodwill message, President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr. Habu Gumel, expressed concern over the rising global cancer burden and called for sustained action beyond the charity match.

Gumel urged the organisers to extend the campaign beyond Abuja to communities across the 36 states, while calling on governments at all levels to strengthen cancer prevention, screening and treatment.

The NOC president pledged his support for the initiative and encouraged Nigerians to make regular cancer screening and periodic health checks a priority.

Also speaking, Director of Cancer Prevention and Control at NICRAT, Dr Usman Mohammed Waziri, reaffirmed the institute’s determination to ensure that the initiative produces a positive and lasting impact on Nigeria’s cancer-control efforts.

With the 60-day countdown officially underway, organisers said the World Soccer Legends Cancer Match would combine the excitement of football with humanitarian action, using the power and influence of football legends to drive a nationwide campaign against cancer.

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