Naval Hospital Treats 50,000 Patients annually, Says Commander
The seven years old Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital in Calabar has disclosed that it treats about 50,000 patients annually.
The Commander of the hospital, Capt. Simon Ocholi, who made the disclosure in Calabar on Monday during a medical rhapsody to commemorate the 69th years anniversary of the Nigerian Navy,
said within the last one year alone, a total of 55,614 patients were treated by the hospital that was inaugurated in 2018 by the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration.
The commander of the 150-bed hospital bemoaned power as the major challenge of the hospital.
"In spite of the seeming challenges, the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) of the Nigerian Navy will continue to use medical rhapsody as a tool to maintain cordial relationships with the host community," he stated.
Declaring the 69th anniversary medical rhapsody opened, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) of the ENC, Rear Admiral Saheed Akinwande said that a strong civil-military relationship is needed to enhance security across the country.
Represented by the Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral Danjuma Ndanusa, the FOC said that provisions have been made for no fewer than 2000 patients to be treated free-of-charge as part of the 69th anniversary.
According to him, "Nigerian Navy's week is an annual event celebrated on the 23rd May and 7th June every year.
"It is customary that during the Navy's week, Naval Medical facilities conduct outreach programs to communities.
"It is customary that during the Navy's week, Naval Medical Facilities conduct outreach programs to communities within their immediate environment to commemorate the anniversary.
"Another objective of this exercise is to fulfill corporate social responsibility of the Nigerian Navy.
"Medical outreaches play a crucial role in improving public health, particularly in remote communities.
They bring healthcare services to areas where they are otherwise unavailable or insufficient.
"They also provide preventive services such as vaccinations, screening, and health education.
"Furthermore, medical outreaches afford the opportunity of early detection and treatment of illnesses. This helps to build the trust of the communities in national healthcare systems."
Akinwande concluded that medical outreaches are vital in bridging the gap in healthcare access, promoting public health, and building a robust health system.
Some of the beneficiaries of the medical outreach described it as "life saving and noble."
According to them, it afforded some of them the opportunity to get tested and treated for treatment they could not afford in hospitals.
Mrs Comfort Essien, said, "i.am really thankful for the initiator because I could not have afford the treatment I got here today.
On his part, Mr Bassey Bassey appealed that the gesture should not just be a one-off thing.
