Health
AWDROP laments capital flight in borehole drilling sector
THE President, Association of Waterwell Drilling Rig Owners and Practitioners (AWDROP), Engr. Michael Ale has lamented the capital fight in Nigerian borehole drilling sector owing to influx of foreign drillers into the country, causing untold hardship for indigenous practitioners.
The AWDROP boss recently in Ibadan at a stakeholders’ National Symposium on borehole drilling regulation and Practitioners’ licensing in Nigeria themed: “Nigeria water resources bill; implication on borehole drilling contractors”, appealed to government ministries and agencies to respect the Executive order of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo.
He stressed that the Vice President, in his acting capacity on 18th May 2017 solicited support for local content in public procurement where “the Federal Government directed its Ministries, Departments and Agencies to grant preference to Manufacturers of locally made goods and local service providers in their procurement of goods and services”.
Ale on behalf of the association also called for speedy passage of the water resources Bill as this will curb the current indiscriminate drilling which has led to uncoordinated operations in the country.
Also speaking at the symposium, the General Officer commanding 2 Division of Nigerian Army, Major Gen. CM Abraham lauded the Association of water well Drillers and Rig Owners Practitioners for their effort in repositioning the water sector.
According to him, the coming together of the association to discuss the Nigeria Water Resources Bill and the implication on borehole drilling is a proactive measure that will create awareness among practitioners and lead to healthy input into the bill.
While commending the efforts of the National assembly, he charged them to ensure the speedy passage of the bill as this will ensure that the water resources is protected, managed and conserved in a sustainable and equitable manner for the benefit of all.
“This symposium is not only important but also timely because the nation is facing imminent danger of underground water pollution from activities of unprofessional drilling companies most of which are not licenced to drill . If this act is not curbed by appropriate legislation and control, the country may face serious challenges in the near future” he added.
The Army Chief also assured AWDROP of their continuous support saying” the Nigeria Army having recognised water security as a vital component of National security, is positioning itself to be a major player in the enhancement of water resources”.
Also in his keynote address, the Executive Director Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission, Mr Reuben Habu spoke on Water Regulation and its implication on drilling practitioners and the general public.
Present at the one day symposium are representatives to Executive Governor of Oyo State, Isaac Ishola, the state Commissioner for Environment; National Water Resource Institute (NWRI) Kaduna, Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRMC) Abuja, Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) Abuja, Nigeria Army 2nd Mechanized Division, Ibadan , Nigeria Police Force, Oyo State Command; Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps. (NSCDC); India driller Association and AWDROP State Chapters’ representatives from the 6 geopolitical zones.
Resident doctors at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH) in Ondo State have initiated a 14-day warning strike, as confirmed by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
The strike action, led by the association’s President, John Matthew, highlights various grievances, notably the non-payment of seven months’ salaries to new members.
Matthew added that the strike also addresses the non-payment of palliative to House Officers since February, the failure to disburse the February Hazard Allowance despite prior assurances from the state government, and the ongoing shortage of staff due to resignations.
Matthew lamented the drastic decrease in resident doctors, citing a decrease from 150 doctors to a mere 26 in recent months.
In response to the situation, he urged management to prioritise the full payment of arrears owed to members, immediate payment of the February 2024 palliative to house officers, and prompt disbursement of the February hazard allowance.
The association further called for urgent measures to address the critical shortage of clinical manpower within the institution.
The Federal Government has greenlit the allocation of N25 billion to bolster the efforts of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in advancing healthcare accessibility and quality across Nigeria.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, made this known, stressing the steadfast commitment of the current administration towards revamping the healthcare system to achieve Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC) for all Nigerians.
In a statement by Deworitshe Patricia, a spokesperson for the ministry, Pate emphasised that the government’s strategy for health sector transformation involves the implementation of a Sector Wide Approach (SWAp) and the Health Sector Renewal Investment Programme (NHSRIP).
Addressing the imperative for reforms in Nigeria’s primary healthcare delivery, Pate highlighted the significance of revising the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) and its associated programmes.
Pate outlined the objectives of the revised guidelines, which include expanding healthcare services for underserved populations, particularly women and children, reducing maternal mortality rates, alleviating out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, and standardizing healthcare quality across primary healthcare facilities nationwide.
“The Ministry, in collaboration with development partners, is dedicated to ensuring equitable access to healthcare services for all Nigerians, with a special focus on vulnerable groups,” stated Pate. “Through initiatives like NHSRIP, we aspire to minimize the need for long-distance travel for medical care, thereby improving the overall health outcomes and well-being of our citizens.”
In a monumental achievement for medical science, a team of Saudi professionals at the King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital has completed the separation surgery of Nigerian conjoined twins, Hassana and Husaina.
The directive for this historic achievement came from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, demonstrating the Kingdom’s commitment to advancing healthcare.
The complex procedure, initiated on Thursday morning, was the result of meticulous planning and execution by a dedicated team of 38 medical experts. This group included consultants, specialists, technicians, and nursing staff, all working in harmony to address shared areas in the lower abdomen, pelvis, lower spine, and lower spinal nerves of the twins.
The surgery, unfolding in nine carefully planned stages, lasted approximately 14 hours. Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Advisor at the Royal Court, Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), and head of the medical team, expressed confidence in the success of the procedure, citing a noteworthy 70% success rate.
“This is a momentous occasion that showcases the Kingdom’s commitment to advancing medical science and providing compassionate healthcare globally,” he said.
The successful separation of Hassana and Husaina commemorates the 60th operation conducted by the Saudi programme for separating conjoined twins. Over the past 34 years, this programme has offered care to 135 conjoined twins from 25 countries.
Dr. Al Rabeeah expressed heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the Saudi leadership for their steadfast support of the programme.
He said, “The successful separation of Hassana and Husaina exemplifies the Kingdom’s dedication to humanitarian causes and its role as a leader in global healthcare.”
The Press Attaché at the Saudi embassy in Abuja, Mohammed Alsahabi, remarked on the accomplishment, stating, “This remarkable feat underscores the strong collaboration between Saudi Arabia and Nigeria in healthcare. We take pride in contributing to the improvement of these twins’ lives and their families.”
The separation of Hassana and Husaina represents not just a medical triumph but also serves as a symbol of hope for numerous individuals confronting similar challenges globally.
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