The 82 Division Hospital has held a one day sensitization and awareness lecture on Meningitis, Sickle Cell Anemia and Gastroenteritis. The health awareness discussion took place on Thursday 13 April 2017 at the Mammy Market Area in 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 of the Hospital, Lieutenant Colonel 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 Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai’s disposition, the 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. Mr Iyamba spoke on Meningitis, – the deadly epidemic, and an inflammatory disease which affects the layer in the human skull called the ‘Meningis’. According to him, “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 deadly plague to include; vomiting, queasiness, stiffness of the neck and extremely high body temperature. He added that if a victim of the prevalent 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, Zamfara, Sokoto Kano and Katsina States with about 156 deaths recorded so far. 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 proper medical and hygienic introspection.
The Sickle Cell Disorder was one of the topics discussed at the event. It was lectured by a Sickle Cell patient, Mrs. Aisha Edward. She noted that the disorder is not infectious; it is innate, – an inheritance from both parents to the unfortunate child. Enumerating the three types of genotypes of the human body namely; AA, AS and SS types, Mrs. Aisha 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 this ailment should not suffer any form of stigmatization, as they can and do contribute positively to the society and should be treated without being stigmatized. As 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, Lieutenant Colonel Ijomanta thanked the General Officer Commanding 82 Division (GOC) Nigerian Army, 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 lecture 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 lecture is organized and successfully executed” – Colonel Ijomanta stated. He encouraged all participants including residents of Abakpa – Nike to make use of the 82 Division Hospital 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.
