Anokwuru Uche Alexis|1 May 2018
As part of their corporate social responsibility as an organization, the 13th Brigade of the Nigerian Army domiciled in the Akim Barracks, Calabar, recently unveiled the newly renovated and upgraded 13 Brigade Medical Center.
Maj. Gen. AB Abubakar, GOC 82 Division, said the Army has a policy that allows the host community to use their medical facilities as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility. He said the Army owes it as an obligation to their host community to provide medical welfare especially to women and children under 5 years. Whilst promising to lend his support to the optimal functionality of the medical centre, as he called for support from the State Government and other kind-hearted individuals present.
This followed an inspection of the medical centre which has a well equipped laboratory, a theatre, a pharmacy, male, female and children wards, a discharge lounge, an alternative source of power (inverters) and a generally well ventilated environment.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Inyang Asibong, said the State is happy to support the Army in ensuring the functionality and operationalizing of the medical centre to achieve maximum results.
"Despite protecting our territorial integrity, the Nigerian Army still deemed it important to protect the health and well-being of their host community. I want to assure that the pro-health Governor of Cross River State, sen. Ben Ayade will support this Medical Center in ensuring full functionality and standard operationalization of all the various departments to achieving the desired results.
The Cross River State Government is about Universal Health Coverage, and this is another way of achieving the feat before the Year 2030 target.
The Commandant of the 13th Brigade, Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Isa, hinted that the project took about a year to reach completion, and that even though a lot has been done there's still more work to be done!
The event was witnessed by representatives of the military forces in the country as well as the Security Adviser to the Cross River State Government; Mr. Jude Ngaji, the Senior Special Adviser Admin to the Governor; Bar. Mark Obi, Member representing Boki State constituency in the CRSHA, Hon. Itam Abang and a host of other community members as well as the Akim Barracks residents.
Anokwuru Uche Alexis
Writes from Calabar
