The Nigeria Army declared Saturday in Kaduna that several thousands of Soldiers and their counterparts in other sister security agencies have been maimed in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency over the years .
This is as the Senate in a show of empathy donated N10 million to some of the Wounded Soldiers In Action (WIA), undergoing treatment at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna (44NARHK).
Briefing the Senate delegation led by its President, Ahmad Lawan, on capacities and challenges facing the 600 – bed Hospital, the acting Chief Medical Director, Colonel Stephen Onuchukwu, said some of the wounded Soldiers are maimed for life and required cutting edge medical facilities to keep them alive.
Onuchukwu who is an Orthopedic Consultant, specifically declared that at 44 Army Reference Hospital alone, a total of 7, 403 wounded soldiers in action, have been received, treated and some undergoing treatment.
“Since the war against insurgency, about 7, 403 wonded in action Military personnel, have been evacuated to this hospital for very urgent medical attention.
“While some of such wounded personnel, got treated and discharged with different forms of deformities, some are maimed for life .
“Those in this category are the ones with spinal cord injury being assisted with Urethral Implant for them to urinate .
“Some also have their legs and hands cut off as a result of cancerous injuries sustained at the battle fronts.
“These are aside others, being rehabilitated from Physical, emotional and psychological injuries,” he said.
He said the Hospital among others, has five suites of theatres, eight – bed intensive care unit, state of the art radiology department, endoscopy unit etc .
He however, said despite the increased capacity of the hospital, some special procedures and treatment were still done abroad .
The medical doctor therefore, appealed to the National Assembly and by extension, the federal government to assist the Hospital to attain the status of UN Level 4 Hospital.
In his remarks, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, assured that the legislature would work with the executive in ensuring that the armed forces is properly resourced and motivated.
He added that the N895 billion supplementary budget recently forwarded to the National Assembly by the Presidency for purchase of military equipment and COVID-19 vaccines, would be expeditiously considered and passed, and that more funds would be appropriated for the military in 2022 budget.
“The country’s mounting security would expose the military personnel to different forms of injuries, thus the need for more medical facilities to cater for the needs of wounded soldiers.
“We can’t expect so much from you and give you little. That will be unfair.
“Our armed forces deserve the support of all Nigerians. We have to give them adequate resources to protect the country because everything needs peace and security,” he said .
The Senate delegation along with the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El – Rufai, and the General Office , 1st Mechanised Division , Major – General Ali Keffi, later visited the Wounded in Action patients across the various wards.
