Health

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

Published

5 months 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

APC Youth Leader, Health Minister, Others Champion “Going Pink Walk” for Breast Cancer Awareness in Abuja

Published

3 weeks ago

October 18, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

It was a vibrant gathering of energetic young men and women across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Saturday in Abuja, as they joined the “Progress in Pink Walk”, a non-competitive awareness march organized by the All-Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Wing to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The event, themed “Walk for Hope, Walk for Life,” was commenced at The Nest — A Place Where Greatness is Hatched, an over 4 kilometres walk aimed at encouraging early detection, promoting timely medical intervention, and offering hope to those affected by breast cancer.

Leading the walk was the APC National Youth Leader, Dr. Dayo Israel, who has remained consistent in championing initiatives that promote youth empowerment, health consciousness, and community impact.

Over the years, Israel has spearheaded several programs designed to enhance the capacity and wellbeing of young Nigerians.

Globally, October is recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month — a period dedicated to increasing awareness, encouraging prevention, and supporting those battling the disease. The APC Youth Wing’s initiative aligns with this global campaign, demonstrating the party’s ongoing commitment to public health advocacy and youth-driven change.

Speaking after the walk, an elated Dr. Dayo Israel explained that the initiative was organized to create awareness among women, both young and old, on the importance of knowing their bodies and seeking medical attention early.

“We want women to know their breasts so well that if anything unusual happens, they act quickly.

“Cancer doesn’t occur overnight it develops over time. awareness, and early detection are key to saving lives,” he said.

He added that the walk also sought to promote fitness as a vital component of a healthy lifestyle and to encourage women to adopt positive habits that support their wellbeing and happiness.

In his remarks, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako commended the APC Youth Wing for taking proactive steps to raise awareness about a critical health concern.

“With this step you have taken today, more Nigerians will become aware of the dangers of late detection.

“Unfortunately, eight to nine out of ten breast cancer cases in Nigeria are detected late — a situation we must change through constant awareness and screening,” he said.

He emphasized the importance of prevention, urging Nigerians to take their health seriously through regular check-ups, healthy living, and avoidance of risk factors like smoking.

Also speaking, the President and CEO of the Nigerian Cancer Society, Prof. Abidemi Omonisi, noted that breast cancer remains one of the most prevalent forms of cancer in Nigeria, accounting for up to 40–50% of all cancer cases.

“Breast cancer remains a major public health challenge. Exercise plays a vital role not only in prevention but also in improving outcomes for people living with cancer and other non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension,” he said.

Prof. Omonisi stressed the need for a community-based response to cancer similar to the national efforts used to combat HIV/AIDS.

“We must involve everyone from schools and youth groups to community organizations to build resilience and eliminate the fear and stigma surrounding cancer,” he added.

He praised the APC Youth Wing for leading the charge, noting that young people, with their creativity and innovation, are uniquely positioned to drive impactful awareness campaigns both online and offline.

The “Progress in Pink Walk” concluded with participants pledging to continue spreading the message of early detection, regular screening, and healthy living underscoring that together, Nigerians can defeat breast cancer through awareness, unity, and action.

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