By Elizabeth Tanko
Kaduna, Nigeria — The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Monday commissioned a new Critical Care Centre at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, 44 NARH, Kaduna, as part of efforts to strengthen combat medical support for troops.
The COAS said an efficient and responsive healthcare system is critical to sustaining military operations and preserving the combat effectiveness of soldiers deployed across theatres of operation.
Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele in a statement on Tuesday quoted the COAS: “Timely access to quality medical care directly impacts troops morale, recovery rates and the overall operational readiness of the Nigerian Army,” Lt. Gen. Shaibu stated during the commissioning.
The new Centre to reduce external referrals is named: Waidi Shaibu Critical Care Centre. The facility is equipped to handle trauma, intensive care and other complex medical cases.
According to the Army Chief, the Centre will reduce the need to refer critically injured or ill personnel to civilian hospitals outside military facilities.
He added that the Nigerian Army remains committed to upgrading medical infrastructure across all formations to meet contemporary operational demands.
“The strength of any fighting force is not measured by weapons alone, but also by the quality of care given to those who bear the burden of national security,” he said.
The Army Chief directed medical staff at 44 NARH to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ensure proper utilisation and maintenance of the new facilities.
The commissioning comes as the Nigerian Army intensifies efforts to improve force health protection and battlefield casualty management in ongoing security operations nationwide.
