The first campus emergency medical response Initiative in Nigeria has been launched at the Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State. The project is a joint venture between the polytechnic, the Global Medical Horizon, an Israeli based healthcare provider and the Plusfactor Initiative, the facilitators of the project.
The launching of the initiative started with the commissioning of? a state-of-the-art diagnostic centre in the campus, which the Israeli partners explained has enough equipment to meet any form of emergency health need, while explaining that the facilities in it are the very best, and better than most paraded by top class health institutions in Nigeria.
For a polytechnic that does not produce medical doctors, not a few wonder why the facility was established in the institution. According to Onu, the initiative is a fulfilment of his promise to install a health facility that will take care of students’ health and even that of members of the public.
The leader of the Israeli team from Global Medical Horizon, Dr Avi Hirshru, also explained that the centre boasts of medical equipment such as cardiac monitoring device, digital haematological analyser and digital chemical analyser which are the very first in Africa and one of the first in the world.
He stated that when fully put into use the number of people that travel to India or other developed and developing countries to seek medical attention would be reduced since similar machines are available in those hospitals abroad where some Nigerians, including public office holders go to receive medical treatment.
The commissioning of the project also heralded a 5-day conference and workshop on enhancing emergency medical preparation and response, in which the expatriate doctors also delivered lectures on how to respond to emergency, especially in a large scale. Within the five days, doctors were also trained on how to make effective use of the machines.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of the workshop, the minister of health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu,who was represented by a staff of the federal ministry of health, Dr Arene commended the institution’s rector for the initiative, stating that the move was in line with the new idea of the ministry? to establish emergency response centres because of the security situation in the country.
He stated that Federal Polytechnic Oko has set the pace in provision of healthcare, while enjoining other institutions and state governments to join in the crusade to meet the health needs of Nigerians, particularly those living in rural communities.
While commissioning the center, Governor Obi, commended the foresightedness of the management of the polytechnic, stating that every government should strive to cater for the health needs of the people.? On his part, Mr Ike Nwobu, the facilitator of the project and chief executive officer, Plus -factor International, said that the project which is the first in the country, and which? parades some of the best equipment would put Oko in the world healthcare map, as well as help increase life expectancy.
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