COVID-19: NAF Gets Aircraft for Aeromedical, Army Receives Oxygen concentrators

COVID-19: NAF Gets Aircraft for Aeromedical, Army Receives Oxygen concentrators

COVID-19: NAF Gets Aircraft for Aeromedical Evacuation

In furtherance of efforts to build the capacity of its personnel for the effective and efficient conduct of Aeromedical Evacuation missions to airlift wounded soldiers from various theatres of operation to appropriate treatment facilities, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has conducted a training for some of its flight nurses and aircrew.

The week-long training, which came to an end with a simulation exercise at the flight line of the 307 Executive Airlift Group, Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja using the C-130H aircraft, was aimed at enhancing the knowledge of participants to enable them ensure that wounded personnel are stabilized and provided necessary life support from point of enplaning until they arrive at the destination facility. In this regard, a NAF C-130H aircraft has been configured to carry specialized stretchers for the patients along with necessary life support equipment, including patient monitors and ventilators

Speaking during the event, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the training and simulation exercise, stating that it aptly depicted what was expected of flight nurses and other crew members while conducting aeromedical evacuation of wounded soldiers from the battlefield to the locations of designated medical facilities.

He noted that the capability, which would reduce the risk to wounded personnel and enhance their chances of survival, could also be deployed for the emergency movement of COVID-19 patients, if so required.

The CAS disclosed that the NAF had, over the past 4 and half years, made concerted efforts to build the capacity of its Medical personnel to not only ensure the provision of qualitative healthcare services to personnel and their families but also to ensure effective care for personnel wounded in action. To this end, he said, NAF Trauma/Emergency Care Teams had been set up in all theatres of operation. He noted that this has helped to boost morale and fighting spirit of the personnel. Air Marshal Abubakar therefore commended the Air Officer Commanding Mobility Command as well as the Chief of Medical Services and the Commander of the 301 Heavy Airlift Group for their efforts in ensuring the effective conduct of the training as well as the configuration of the C-130H.

Also present at the event were some Branch Chiefs from Headquarters NAF, the Chief of Staff of Mobility Command as well as Commanders and other senior NAF officers.

IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force
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Army Receives Oxygen concentrators from University College
A life-support medical team known as ‘OXYGEN FOR LIFE INITIATIVE’ of the University College Hospital, Ibadan visited 2 Division Service Hospital, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Ojoo, Ibadan. The team, during the visit supported the 2 Division Military Service Hospital with some life-support equipments. These donations were very timely, they came in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. The team was led by Dr Bakari of the University College Teaching Hospital, Ibadan.
The Oxygen for life initiative donated the following under listed life support equipments.
1. 4 x Oxygen concentrators.
2. 4 x Pulse ox meters
3. 5 x External filters.
4. 6 x internal filters.
The items were received by the Chairman, Committee on National Health Insurances Scheme, 2 Division Medical Service Hospital Col SA Amusa. The team was briefed and conducted round the hospital facilities. According to the chairman, National Health Insurance Scheme, 2 Division Medical Services Hospital, Ibadan, Col SA Amusa, Life-Support Equipments are very crucial in the fight against COVID-19. On behalf of General Officer Commanding 2 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Anthony Bamidele Omozoje, Col SA Amusa profoundly thanked the team for the donations and promise to make sure the equipments are utilize in the fight against the pandemic COVID-19.

Hassan Ifijeh Mohammed
Colonel
Deputy Director Army Public Relations
2 Division Nigerian Army