The Nigerian Army’s 82 Division Hospital has held a one day sensitization and awareness lecture on meningitis, Sickle Cell Anaemia and Gastroenteritis.
A statement by Col. Sagir Musa, Deputy Director, Army Public Relations noted that the health awareness discussion took place on Thursday at the Mammy Market Area of Abakpa Military Cantonment.
The lecture was designed for the families and personnel of the Division as well as members of our host community, the receptive/hospitable Nike community of Enugu Township.
Speaking at the event, the Commander, 82 Division Medical Services and Hospital, Lt Col Ijoma Ijomanta, remarked that the Nigerian Army (NA) through its medical facility in Abakpa Military Cantonment Enugu will continue to provide the best medical care for its personnel and their families.
Similarly, in the spirit of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Tukur Buratai’s disposition, medical care shall be made available to interested civilians from the host community of the Division.
This is with the view to cementing the existing good civil military relationship between the Division and its various publics.
Among the specialists that lectured at the occasion is Mr. Iyamba Ekpo, a staff of Zolon Pharmaceutical Company.
Iyamba spoke on Meningitis, the deadly epidemic, and an inflammatory disease which affects the layer in the human skull called the ‘Meningis’.
He explained that, “when the Meningis is diseased, it starts to inflame, resulting to what is medically known as Meningitis”.
The health practitioner disclosed the symptoms of the plague to include; vomiting, queasiness, stiffness of the neck and extremely high body temperature.
He added that if a victim of the endemic type ‘C’ Meningitis is not detected early and professionally managed, it could spread to the brain and kill the host within 24 hours.
Statistically however, about 4,000 cases of the disease have been reported in Jigawa, Katsina, Kano, Sokoto and Zamfara States with about 156 deaths recorded so far.
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The disease has also been detected in Calabar, the Cross River State capital and Ebonyi States.
This should push the Division and the NA for medical and hygienic introspection.
The Sickle Cell Disorder was one of the topics discussed at the event.
It was succinctly explained by a Sickle Cell patient, Mrs. Aisha Edward who noted that the disorder is not infectious; it is innate, an inheritance from both parents to the unfortunate child.
Enumerating the three genotypes of the human body namely; AA, AS and SS types, Mrs Edward stressed the importance of seeking proper medical evaluation to ascertain one’s status.
This, according to her, will aid easy compatibility of intending couples and prevent possible cases of procreating innocent babies who will become Sickle Cell patients.
She added that Sickle Cell patients are usually prone to psychological disorder and blood cell issues. That patient with the ailment shouldn’t suffer any form of stigmatization.
As a precaution for better management and prolonged life, Mrs Edward advised patients to avoid exposure to mosquito bites, eat good food and observe hygiene habits.
In his closing remarks, Lt Col ijomanta thanked the General Officer Commanding 82 Division (GOC) Nigerian Army (NA), Major General Adamu Abubakar for his numerous supports.
“Having noticed the speed of the spread of some of these diseases, especially the ‘berserking’ meningitis, General Abubakar directed that sensitization campaign be conducted for the officers, soldiers and their families as well as the civilian personnel of the Division.
“It is in line with his order that this sensitization is organized and successfully executed” Ijomanta stated.
He enjoined all participants including residents of Abakpa – Nike to make use of the 82 Division Hospitals in Abakpa Barracks for their medical needs. The Garrison Commander of the Division Brigadier General Lasisi Adegboye represented the GOC at the occasion.
Highlights of the event were the presentation of hand sanitizers, mosquito nets and Sickle Cell pamphlets and books to the participants.
END
