The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has said his administration has plans to intervene in the Army Reference Hospitals in Lagos, Kaduna and Abuja to place them at par with teaching hospitals.

Mr Lagbaja said this on Tuesday while speaking to journalists after inaugurating an upgraded radio-diagnostic centre and installation of 1.5 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging machine at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Kaduna (44 NARHK).

He added that the projects were testament to the Nigerian Army higher command’s drive to provide the best of medical care to the soldiers and their families.

Beyond upgrading the reference hospitals, Mr Lagbaja said they were also carrying out interventions at brigade medical centres for the next level of medical support towards soldiers.

In immediate terms, he said, the Nigerian Army was looking into brigade medical centres that were not easily accessible.

Mr Lagbaja said that already, he had intervened in Makurdi and currently doing so in Lokoja, Ikeja, Yola , saying, ”from there we will move to other parts of the country.”

Speaking further, the COAS said they were on interventions toward upgrade and construction of more accommodation for personnel.

He stressed that the sound administration mantra of his command philosophy was hinged on the provision of essential welfare support to troops, especially those deployed to theatres of operations across the country.

Mr Lagbaja equally said it was hinged on the welfare of families of the troops in barracks and cantonments across the country.

He stressed that his desire was to ensure that soldiers leaving outside the barracks were entitled to accommodation before the end of the year, especially in highly populated centres like Abuja.

“We are also looking into water, power supply, good roads and other essential welfare support for our personnel. All this is designed to motivate them to give their best in the service of the nation in combating threats to security,” he said.

Earlier in a welcome address, the acting Commander, Army Medical Corps, Brig.-Gen. Samson Okoigi, said 44 NARHK stood as a beacon of excellence, one of the three tertiary hospitals and the flagship medical facility of the Nigerian Army.

Mr Okoigi said that the hospitals’ capabilities extend far beyond
routine medical care, encompassing specialised surgeries and diagnostic investigations, reflecting their dedication to upholding the highest standards of care.

Also, the Chief Medical Director of 44 NARHK, Col. Stephen Onuchukwu, in his remarks, appreciated the army chief for his support and leadership roles.

He reiterated their commitment in discharging their duties professionally.

The former Chief of Air Staff (CAS), retired Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, in company with Mr Lagbaja, inaugurated a renovated dining hall and a 1.8KM road at the Command Secondary School, Kaduna.

Mr Amao, who sponsored the project, was a former student of the school in the Class of 1982.

(NAN)