Business
Firms Partner On Healthcare In Nigeria’s Oil Rigs
Three companies: Nesto Aviation Services, ADAC HEMS Academy Germany, and Kasi Healthcare Offshore and Aeromedical Unit, have partnered to enhance access to emergency medical care for workers in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
This is in response to the fact that Nigeria’s oil and gas industry had witnessed several tragic incidents resulting in injuries and loss of life due to numerous factors.
Such factors includes aging infrastructure, lack of proper safety protocols, recklessness of operators, and inadequate monitoring and regulation by authorities.
Experts predict that the spate of accidents is likely to continue unless major reforms are implemented to improve safety standards in Nigeria’s oil industry.
According to The Tide’s source, to improve access to emergency medical care for workers in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry in offshore areas of the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa, Nesto Aviation Services (NestAv), through its General Manager, Ehis Uadiale, on behalf of the firms, issued a statement.
This, the statement said, was sequel to the launch of a regional air ambulance and Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) Service for the oil and gas sector, saying the partnership would provide a dedicated critical care aircraft for injured personnel in the golden hour.
The service will also include transport for stroke victims, heart attack patients and traumatic injuries with complications, and to those who would otherwise have limited access to emergency services in the golden hour.
The NestAv boss said the partnership is also focused on servicing in the golden hour medical emergencies occurring at remote locations across West Africa and offshore locations in Gulf of Guinea.
“The programme will prioritise training local doctors, nurses and paramedics, creating jobs and building long-term capacity within the region.
“The partnership will also launch an Air Ambulance service, utilising a King Air Aircraft operated by NestAV, equipped with advanced medical equipment and basic life support and advanced life support trained aeromedical team from Kasi Healthcare Offshore and Aeromedical Unit”, the statement said.
It also quoted the Chairman of Nestoil Group, Dr. Ernest Obiejesi, as saying that, “We are the largest indigenous EPCC service provider for major IOCs in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“This partnership represents a significant leap forward in providing critical medical care across offshore and remote locations in the Gulf of Guinea.
“By bringing together our collective strengths, we are establishing a world-class Air Ambulance and HEMS programme that will have a profound impact on the health and well-being of workers in oil industry across the region”.
A representative of ADAC HEMS Academy Germany added that, “ADAC HEMS Academy is proud to conclude the signing of a framework agreement with Kasi Healthcare as medical ops provider and Nest AV as flight ops provider in this groundbreaking project”
He continued that, under the agreement, “We are committed to establishing in Nigeria a training site linked to the ADAC HEMS Academy that is recognized by the American Heart Association training of selected AHA course formats and qualification of Nigerian instructors.
“We are also Consulting on all aspects of the configuration and establishment of HEMS in Nigeria under this project. Our knowledge and experience in aeromedical training to ensure the success of this programme and empower local healthcare professionals.
“We are also proud to be working with two organizations licensed by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) both with a commitment to safety and excellence”, Medical Director, KASI, Dr Dayo Osholowu, further added.
The ceremony featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the three organisations, paving the way for the development of aeromedical capacity across more than 180 remote oil and gas locations within the Gulf of Guinea.
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MoniePoint Inc. a digital financial firm in Nigeria, has said it is empowering community pharmacists across the country with innovative payment solutions to improve access to drugs.
The financial firm said it had also provided loans for pharmacists under the aegis of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) to drive healthcare delivery in the country.
MoniePoint in a release titled, “Inside Nigeria’s community pharmacies: How Moniepoint drives healthcare access with payments and funding”, has reaffirmed its commitment to providing digital payment solutions to improve health outcomes in Nigeria.
The release examined how community pharmacies play a crucial role as vital access points for medical care in Nigeria, especially in areas with limited hospital or clinic access.
According to the release, the ACPN National Chairman, Ambrose Igwekwam, highlighted the critical role played by community pharmacies in Nigeria’s healthcare system over the years.
Igwekwam, however, expressed concerns over the challenges confronting the nation’s pharmaceutical industry which he said was hindering access to affordable medicines.
The pharmacist listed poor infrastructural systems, power, transportation, regulatory bottlenecks, importation dependency, and limited research opportunities as major challenges facing the pharmaceutical sector.
He also stressed the need for robust collaborative efforts with institutions like Moniepoint to strengthen the sector.
“As Nigeria continues to grow, improving local pharma manufacturing to meet the demands of this growth presents a key opportunity for us all.
“There is also the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, which is expected to boost our industry, especially when we start producing our drugs locally, which will provide the much needed foreign exchange from exports.
“We are also seeing advancements in digital health and technology which would hopefully deepen the practice of e-prescription in Nigeria”, the ACPN boss said.
Corlins Walter
In order to enhance customer service and streamline operations, the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) has called on stakeholders in the insurance industry to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The President of the institute, Yetunde Ilori, made this call at the 2024 Office Representatives Committee (ORC) Workshop, organised by the institute, with the theme “AI and the Future of the Insurance Industry”, in Lagos.
Ilori at the event, emphasised the importance of AI adoption, noting that it was not a threat to jobs but rather a tool to improve efficiency across the insurance sector.
“It is not about AI taking over our jobs, but about us using AI to simplify processes and give maximum satisfaction to all the customers we serve whether as underwriters, brokers, loss adjusters, or in educating our members”, she said.
The workshop, which brought players in the insurance sector together, aimed to address how AI could be leveraged to transform business processes and improve customer interactions.
The Chairman of the ORC, Monica Nwachukwu, underscored the role of AI in modernising the industry, adding, “AI can automate customer and claims processes, allowing insurers to provide faster and more efficient services to their customers”.
She explained how AI could help extract data from legacy systems, enhancing decision-making processes.
“By integrating AI with APIs, insurers can feed valuable data into AI solutions to improve operations and customer service”, she added.
In his address, the Managing Partner of A4S and Training Heights, Orlando Odejide, stressed the need for companies to align their strategies with future technologies like AI, especially as they prepare for 2025.
“Any organisation that wants to grow into the future must have its strategic plan in place. If your strategy for 2025 is not ready, it should be done by October”, he advised.
He encouraged participants to think critically about how AI could be integrated into their business models to ensure they remain competitive.
“The idea is for you to use this workshop as a platform to think about your organization and how AI can help streamline your processes and improve growth”, Odejide noted.
In order to gain global respect and recognition, the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has reaffirmed its determination to pursue its goal in ensuring that Nigeria’s space capabilities are recognised on the world stage.
The agency also reaffirmed its commitment to positioning Nigeria as a key player in the global space economy.
In a statement by the Director of Media and Corporate Communications, Dr. Felix Ale, NASRDA revealed that the Director-General of the agency, Matthew Adepoju, emphasised this during recent engagements at the 79th United Nations General Assembly and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and Global Alliance Business Association international conference in Michigan, United States.
The statement noted that Adepoju outlined a forward-thinking agenda, stressing the importance of Nigeria’s space programme as a leader in research, exploration, and technological innovation.
“Our goal is to ensure that Nigeria’s space capabilities are recognised on the world stage.
“We must foster collaborations with global space agencies to enhance our satellite capabilities and technological infrastructure”, he stated.
The NASRDA boss said the agency is focusing on enhancing satellite capabilities, expanding international collaborations, and leveraging space science for national development.
He said NASRDA will have no stone unturned in pursuit of excellence, ensuring the agency secures the necessary resources and recognition to propel it forward.
“The relationships we build today will pave the way for tomorrow’s advancements in space science.
“Innovation and progress thrive in an environment built on collaboration and inclusivity”, he stated.
He emphasised that with the support of the government, international partners, and a dedicated team, NASRDA is poised to make significant strides in the evolving global space landscape.
“We are on the brink of a new era for Nigeria’s space agency. Together, we will ensure our nation stands out in the global space economy”, he said.
Corlins Walter