The Nation Newspaper

Tag: hospital

  • Why I equipped hospital -Tompolo

    FORMER leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) has donated some hospital equipment to the Ogulagha Cottage Hospital in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

    Making the donation through his Tompolo Foundation, Ekpemupolo said it was to enhance good health service delivery in the rural oil-rich community.

    Joyous beneficiaries of the gesture said the donation was the first of its kind made to the hospital that was built by Shell Petroleum Development Company and donated to the state government as part of their corporate social responsibility.

    Speaking through Comrade Paul Bebenimibo, executive secretary of the foundation, he said the gesture was the beginning of good things to be achieved by the foundation.

    “This donation is in line with the purpose of why the foundation was founded; to give assistance to the less privileged; andput smile on the faces of the people who have been marginalised and to enhance the living standard of Niger Deltans.

    “We hope to reach out to more communities as we try to eradicate poverty from the area, we want to improve the standard of education, we want to empower the youths, we want to motivate teachers to put in their best and we want good health delivery,” he said.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • National Hospital staff suspend strike

    National Hospital staff suspend strike

    Striking National Hospital workers have suspended their industrial action after the expiration of the ultimatum issued the management of the hospital to address their grievances.

    The workers embarked on a three- day warning strike last Tuesday to protest alleged “disregard and the non-implementation of the National Hospital’s condition of service.”

    The three-day warning protest, which ended on Thursday, did not, however, yield the desired result as the hospital management refused to shift ground leading to the declaration of the strike action.

    According to Kilani Jelili, chairman Senior Staff Union of National Hospital, “the continuous disregard for public service rules, the schemes of service of other health professionals as well as the setting aside of our approved condition of service by the management team of the National Hospital has been a source of serious concern to our members.”

    He hinted the workers are also against the continuous stay in office of the Hospital’s Director of Administration, Mr. James Odiba, beyond the 35 years stipulated by the Civil Service Rule.

    The workers, it was gathered, however, suspended the action after meeting with the ministry and the management of the hospital over the weekend for about eight hours.

    It was gathered the intervention of the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Health, Mrs. Fatimah Bamidele, played a great part in the suspension of the strike.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Protest grounds National Hospital

    •Hospital running fine, says management

    Activities at the National Hospital, Abuja were disrupted yesterday for about four hours by protesting workers.

    The three-day protest over poor condition of service will continue till tomorrow.

    It is aimed at attracting the attention of the management of the hospital and the public to the plight of the workers, their union said.

    Though yesterday’s protest was peaceful, workers carried placards with various inscriptions, such as: ‘No condition of service for 14 years’, among others.

    The Chairman of the Senior Staff Union of National Hospitals, Mr. Kilani Jelili, said: “The continuous disregard for public service rules, the schemes of service of other health professionals and the setting aside of our approved condition of service by the management team of the National Hospital have been a source of concern to our members.”

    But the hospital management said the protest has not affected activities at the hospital, noting that it was only a few workers that were involved in the industrial action and patients were not discharged.

    The management pleaded with the protesting workers to be patient as it is awaiting the decision of the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, on the disputed issue of condition of service.

    The spokesman of the hospital, Mr. Tayo Hastrupp, said: “The first thing to note is that it was a few of our union members that engaged in the protest. We have the NANNM, Medical Health Workers’ Union and Senior Staff Association, which in their wisdom have decided to go on a three-day warning strike from 8am to 12pm before resuming for duty. Our doctors are working; our patients are not being discharged. The issue borders on some grievances, more on conditions of service. They have written a protest letter to the Minister of Health, who is supervising the hospital on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan. He has set up a committee. The committee met the management and the union and they are going back to the minister to say this is our report. Why not be patient? We are waiting for the report from the minister, who will take a decision on this matter. There should be reason and sense of judgment to wait for what has been submitted to his office.

    “We hope within the next three days, I am sure the minister will say ‘get them back to talk to them; be patient’. The minister has taken up the body to set up a committee on this thing. I am sure the best thing for us is to wait for the response of the minister on the report.”

    But the workers would not budge as they are demanding the full implementation of the NHA condition of service.; adoption of the training guidelines submitted to the hospital management since 2010; the re-establishment of the staff clinic to cater for the healthcare needs of workers and their dependants; restoration of the suspended refund of medical bill to staff. The protesting workers are also demanding the payment of the annual prepaid housing allowance to staff as loan at the beginning of each year as provided for in the condition of service for NHA; the commencement of approved amount of duty tour allowance to workers as prescribed by the PSR.

    “Besides, the workers are asking for reversal of the stoppage of the payment of the first 28 days accommodation allowance to newly-employed staff, with backlog paid to the affected officers; full implementation of the scheme of service for health professionals in the service of the National Hospital Abuja; establishment of a police post around the perimeter of the hospital premises and the provision of functional street lights in our immediate environment.

    “The workers are also demanding the reinstatement of the suspended members of staff from Histopathology Department, who have been discharged and acquitted of the offence, which caused their suspension; that the incumbent Director of Administration be directed to proceed on retirement according to his record of service.

    Reacting to the expiration of the term of Odiba, the hospital spokesman said: “There is a procedure in the public service. There is a proper procedure to follow to know and check if this is part of the grievances. The minister knows the proper place to go and find out. The committee knows where to find out whether it is true. We should have evidence and fact in our judgment to determine. Of course, if this man has spent the number of years he should spend in service, he has to go, but we must have evidence on this matter.

    “The procedure is that the record workers, who join them, would cause “small snag” in medical services.”

     

     

  • Queen Elizabeth hospitalized

    Queen Elizabeth hospitalized

    … Spends second day in clinic

    The Queen is spending a second day in hospital where she is being assessed for symptoms of gastroenteritis.

    She was taken to London’s King Edward VII’s Hospital from Windsor Castle, where she had been resting, on Sunday – her first hospital stay in 10 years.

    Buckingham Palace said the Queen, 86, had been admitted as a precaution and was otherwise in “good health.”

    All official engagements for this week, including the Queen’s trip to Rome, will be either cancelled or postponed.

    News of her illness first emerged on Friday night and she cancelled a trip to Swansea on Saturday to mark St. David’s Day in a military ceremony.

    However, earlier on Sunday she had carried out a private medal presentation at Windsor Castle.

    A spokesman for the Queen said she was in “good spirits.”

    “This is a precautionary measure,” he said.

    “She was not taken into hospital immediately after feeling the symptoms. This is simply to enable doctors to better assess her.”

    The Queen is expected to remain in hospital under observation for about two days.

    BBC reports that there were unlikely to be regular updates issued about her condition, but there was nothing to suggest she would not make a full recovery.

    There was no sense of alarm from palace officials about the events, the report says.

     

  • Bafana coach in hospital

    Bafana coach in hospital

    Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund Tuesday admitted himself in hospital suffering from severe abdominal pains.

    Dr Ephraim Nematswerani, who is attending to coach Igesund, said so far he had detected that the national coach might be having appendicitis.

    “Thorough and further investigations are being carried out to confirm the diagnosis. We are however, confident that he will be back on his feet soon. It is nothing too serious,” added Dr Nematswerani.

    Igesund’s Bafana Bafana side were knocked out in the quarterfinals of the recent Africa Cup of Nations by Mali, but generally received positive reviews.

    There has even been talk of Igesund having his current deal extended to the 2018 FIFA World Cup. His team’s next assignment is at home to Central African Republic in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier next month.

  • Suntai out of hospital

    Suntai out of hospital

    •Wife delivered of twins

    AILING Taraba State Governor Danbaba Fulani Suntai has made his first public appearance – not physically, but in a photograph (right) – in about 67 days.

    Suntai flew the plane which crashed on October 25 near the Yola Airport.

    He has been discharged from the German hospital where doctors treated him for multiple fractures, The Nation learnt yesterday.

    In the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) photograph, apparently taken by an amateur, Suntai looks darker than he used to be. He is holding his baby – one of the twins his wife, Hajia Hauwa, was delivered of on December 6, also in Germany – and looking straight into the camera, his wife is holding the other.

    His Excellency is dressed in a white oversize (neck) shirt under a grayish jacket. His face is expressionless; unlike those of his beaming friend and wife. Suntai’s head and chin look clean shaven.

    In the photograph, which is said to have been taken in the canteen of an unnamed German hospital, the governor sits on a dark leather chair that is obviously different from the others in the canteen. In front of him is a plate of food, which looks half-eaten, a set of cutlery, cups and a salt jar.

    Standing behind Suntai is a man wearing a thick black winter jacket (the type worn by security agents). His face is covered by the camera.

    The reason for the release of the picture was not immediately known yesterday. It came amid the rumour that Suntai may have been permanently incapacitated.

    Senator Emmanuel Bwacha (Taraba South), a close friend of Suntai, said the birth of the twins doubled the celebration in Suntai’s home, following his discharge from hospital.

    It was gathered that Suntai’s wife was expectant when the governor got involved in the crash.

    Her trip to Germany to assist her husband at the hospital changed the plan for her to delivered of the babies in the United States.

    With the twins, the Suntai family now has five children – four girls and a boy (one of the twins).

    Bwacha said the governor was not in a hurry to return home because he wants to be fully fit.

    Besides, he added, the governor has confidence in the ability of tActing Governor Garba Umar to carry on.

    Some people described as Suntai’s supporters are said to be planning to visit him.

  • Injured Wada discharged from hospital

    Injured Wada discharged from hospital

    •Fracture to heal in six months

    Injured Kogi State Governor Idris Wada was yesterday discharged from the Cedar Crest hospital, Abuja where he has been receiving treatment for a broken thigh.

    Wada, who lost his aide-de- Camp (ADC) in a car crash last Friday, was moved to Abuja for treatment.

    The governor was said to have left the hospital around 9 am yesterday in the company of his aides, amid tight security.

    Certifying Wada fit, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, who was in charge of the treatment, Dr Felix Ogedengbe, said it is better for the governor to recuperate at home to enable his thigh heal permanently.

    Stressing that the treatment given to the governor would allow him to move around, he said the fracture would heal in about six months.

    At the hospital, Wada received high profile Nigerians, including President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Dr. Ogedengbe had earlier at a news conference said there was no need for the governor to be flown abroad for further treatment.

    The governor’s driver, who also sustained injuries, is said to be stable and responding to treatment.

  • Wada to leave hospital ‘in days’

    Wada to leave hospital ‘in days’

    •Jonathan visits

    Hospitalised Kogi State Governor Idris Wada was in high spirits yesterday.

    He was all smiles as President Goodluck Jonathan showed up in his ward. He raised up his body and stretched out his hand for a handshake.

    Wada then pulled up his blue kaftan to show the President his plastered leg, which was broken in an accident last Friday.

    The governor, who is being treated at a private hospital in Abuja, was returning to Lokoja , the state capital, from Anyingba when his Lexus SUV crashed at Emi Woro village.

    His Aide-de-Camp Idris Muhammed, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), died. His driver was injured.

    The President was received at the Cedar Cross Hospital, Abuja by Minister of Health Dr. Onyebuchi Chukwu, and the hospital’s Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr. Felix Ogedengbe. He arrived at about 3:15pm.

    Dr. Jonathan, who was accompanied by some of his aides, wore a brown stripped kaftan with a red cap and a pair of brown shoes.

    After exchanging pleasantries with the minister who got to the hospital much earlier, the President was ushered into the governor’s ward.

    He joked with the governor, who wore a light blue kaftan with a cap. The governor showed the President his right leg which is in a plaster as the doctor explained the nature of the injury to the President. The Minister of Health listened.

    The President wished the governor speedy recovery before leaving 15 minutes later.

    Dr. Jonathan declined to speak with reporters.

    He seemed satisfied with the state of things at the hospital as he smiled while coming out of the hospital.

    The CMD spoke to reporters at he end of the visit, saying Wada’s health has improved tremendously.

    Dr. Ogedengbe said the governor was doing well after surgery and will be discharged from hospital “in a couple of days”.

    He said: “The governor is already doing step-climbing. He is doing very well at the moment. You know it was a severe injury. We have continued to watch out for any other problem that he might have, but, at this stage, we have not seen any other problem at all.

    “From the medical point of view, he is quite healthy and he should be ready to go back home in a couple of days. I can only at this stage tell you that he will be ready to go back home in a few days, but I won’t be able to tell you specifically which day.

    “He is not going to be in the hospital for weeks, he does not need to be here for weeks.”

    The governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Jacob Edi, said: “The governor is hale and hearty and of a sound mind. He underwent surgery for the broken bone in his thigh and the surgery was successful.

    “He has been receiving high profile visitors and, apparently, to cap it up is the visit of the President.”

    Edi insisted that the governor would not be flown abroad for further medical treatment. He said Wada was receiving adequate attention at the hospital and that the governor has confidence in the nation’s medical system.

    On the reported fear of the governor’s security in the hospital, Edi said: “From the eyes of men, the hospital could be small and there could be the fear of security, but security belongs to God. We believe that God will protect him.”

    Deputy Governor Yomi Awoniyi, who has been on a foreign trip in the United Kingdom on Monday, returned to the country.

    He cut short his trip following the crash.

    Awoniyi ‘s trip was to have lasted 12 days covering the Christmas holiday in London.

     

  • Mandela spends Christmas Day in hospital

    Mandela spends Christmas Day in hospital

     

    Former South Africa President, Nelson Mandela, will be spending Christmas Day in hospital, the Presidential spokesman, Mac Maharaj, said in Johannesburg.

    He said government received the confirmation from the doctors that Mandela would remain in the hospital during Christmas.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that President Jacob Zuma had sent messages of well-wishes to the Mandela family and urged South African to keep him (Mandela) in their prayers.

    “We urge all South Africans to keep Tata uppermost in their thoughts at every place of worship or entertainment and also on Christmas Day, and throughout the festive season.

    “We also humbly invite all freedom-loving people around the world to pray for him. He is an ardent fighter and will recover from this episode with all our support,” Zuma said.

    He said Mandela was responding well to treatment in a Pretoria hospital.

    NAN also reports that Mandela was admitted at a Pretoria Hospital on December 8, where he was diagnosed with a lung infection and underwent gallstone surgery.

     

  • U.S consultants to build hospital in Anambra

    U.S consultants to build hospital in Anambra

    A team of consultants from the United States on Tuesday proposed to build a world class hospital in Anambra.

    A member of the team, Dr. Maria Todd announced the proposal in Awka when they visited the state Governor, Mr. Peter Obi.

    Todd said the hospital, when completed would employ more than 40 doctors and no fewer than 1,200 nurses and other supporting staff.

    She said the hospital would equally create opportunities for capacity development and institutional strengthening for skilled and unskilled labour, including technicians and engineers.

    The team leader explained that the hospital with advanced health facilities could extend its services to the entire West African sub-region, noting that the state had the potential to drive the process.

    The Traditional Ruler of Ifite-Dunu, who was part of the team, Chief Emeka Ilouno, said the team wanted to identify with the success story of Obi’s administration, especially in the health sector.

    “We are responding to the governor’s call for stakeholders to come home and attract investments to the state to make it a model in the country in line with Obi’s passion to uplift the state,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted Ilouno as saying at the forum.

    Responding, the governor said that Africa held the hope for the survival of the global economy as it had huge unexplored human and material resources.

    Obi pointed out that with the right leadership, Nigeria could effectively harness its abundant potentials to become a major player in the world economy.

    He underscored the importance of establishing the hospital in the state as it would assist the state government in its drive to achieve the MDGs.