GOC visits to boost morale of wounded troops in Kaduna

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major-General Mohammed Mohammed, has visited the 44 Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna to identify with the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole wounded in a move considered as a morale booster to the outfit.

During the visit at the weekend, the GOC told the affected personnel that his presence was part of activities marking the yearly West African Social Activities (WASA) organised by the force to signal the end of a successful year and usher in a new one.

He assured the wounded soldiers of the military’s commitment to their plight.

Mohammed said: “ We are aware of your pains and I am here on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai, to let you know that you are not forgotten.

“I want to assure you that we are interfacing with the doctors and caregivers to ensure that you get the best treatment and whatever will give you quick recovery.

“ For those of you requiring evacuation abroad, I have asked the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Brigadier General Nathan Okeji, to furnish me with such details for onward communication to the COAS for immediate action.

“ We will also extend to you some of the goodies during the WASA, just be reminded that the COAS is very passionate about your health and well being and will stop at nothing to do the needful for your good living.”

However, the force has denied the allegation of medical negligence levelled against it by an unknown injured soldier.

According to the widely circulated letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, the writer claimed that the army hierarchy was in the habit of abandoning and neglecting injured soldiers, especially in the North East.

The Acting Chief Medical Director, 68 Reference Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, Brigadier-General Adekola Dada, while reacting to the claims, said it was mind-boggling that people would accuse the army authorities of medical negligence given the huge resources spent on taking care of injured soldiers.

Explaining the system of referring wounded troops from the battlefields to army referral hospitals, he said: “The process for referral is very fast. If a soldier is wounded, he is evacuated to the base hospital depending on the nature of the injury.

“We currently have three referral centres in the army, one at 44 Nigerian Reference Hospital Kaduna; Military Hospital Lagos at Awolowo, Ikoyi and 68 Reference Hospital in Yaba, also in Lagos.”