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UPTH Begins Kidney Transplant, Oct

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The management of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) says it would begin kidney transplant by October 2024.
Chairman of Medical Advisory Committee, (MAC), UPTH, Prof Datonye Alasia, gave the timeline for the operation at the hospital grounds presentation by the Renal Department.
Prof Alasia said UPTH is collaborating with the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas, NLNG, and other organisations to equip the centre for the service.
“NLNG has a foundation where they support healthcare and they have been doing this across the country. So for us, there is an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to equip a dialysis centre, but we felt that would be limited in scope. So, we had to find a way to push it up to align with our plans for a transplantation centre, so that collaboration is there and we are happy to say that NLNG has done something significant.
“They have funded the provision of equipments and some supports to the external works and we are actually at eighty five percent of completion and that’s going to contribute to the success of the project.
“For us, our strategic timeline is October 2024 and that’s what we are working towards, but, of course, if all the assumptions go as we planed, it will be October because we have trainings of staff, people will travel, MoUs will be signed, procurement timelines will also affect us, but our focus is to stay on that date and see that we achieve it”, he said.
On the importance of the Ground rounds presentation, the Chairman said the essence is to get the hospital community and the public to be aware of the services and what’s involved in it.
“For today, we have the Renal Department presenting because of the planned renal transplantation and the essence is to create the awareness internally and from the programme you see that it involves different professional groups such as nephrology, pharmacists, paediatricians, nurses, psychologists and virtually everybody in the hospital. So, it is a multi-disciplinary thing.
”This presentation also helps members of the team to have a better understanding of what they are expected to offer, transplant patients and every aspect of the service that will influence the patients journey. We also believe that this would improve that multi-disciplinary team spirit”, he explained.
The MAC Chairman further said UPTH has commenced a transplant clinic to further demonstrate its preparedness for the transplantation programme.
“We have kicked-off the transplant clinic. While it was there, it was not structured specifically to attend to patients before transplant and post transplant, but now there is a deliberate attempt to structure it to make the public know clearly that the transplant clinic is a dedicated service.
“We used to run within the nephrology clinic before and the urology clinic but it’s now a clinic of its own. That’s the first step, the public should know that the service is being offered here as a collaboration and partnership with people such as foundations who have interest to support transplantation and they may now find that since they are aware, they can now interface and network with us to see how they can support because kidney transplantation is a very cost intensive venture”, Alasia said.
Earlier, UPTH Transplant Team Leader, Professor Onyenunam Okeke said the presentation at the Ground Rounds centred on the prospects of starting a kidney transplant programme in UPTH, adding that the hospital has qualified personnel to handle kidney disease cases.
“UPTH has a large team. UPTH is set up as an institution for trainning, Service and for research, but we are highlighting the area of service, so we have a lot of skilled personnel and we have the patients that also requires transplant. We have not started before now but we are in the process of starting the transplant programme”, he explained further.
Okeke disclosed that the programme is part of the management’s strategic programme, saying UPTH is collaborating with organisations and sister institutions to get the service started.
“The present management of the hospital as part of the five years development programme wants to carryout this kidney transplant.
“We cannot do it alone, so we are collaborating with some centres, both locally and internationally, and through the efforts of management, we have a specific building that’s design for it”, he said.
Okeke, who doubles as Deputy Provost, College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, urged members of the public to know that when kidney fails they can be replaced, stressing that the process of transplantation is safe and for all and sundry.

By: Chinedu Wosu

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Rivers

100 Days: Omuma Council Boss Lists Achievements

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The Chairman of Omuma Local Government Council in Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Promise Reginald, has given his scorecard in the first 100 days of his administration.

Reginald was elected on October 6, 2024 under the platform of All People’s Party (APP) alongside 21 other Council chairmen in the State, with the exclusion of Etche Local Government Council chairman, Dr. Uzodinma Nwafor, who was elected from a different political party.

Given his scorecard at a press briefing held in his Port Harcourt last Thursday, the Omuma Council boss expressed gratitude to Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Omuma people for the confidence reposed in him.

He listed restoration of 24 hours electricity, belle first welfare empowerment programme, purchase of 28 empowerment vehicles as well as 100 JAMB forms as some of the projects his administration had achieved within the first 100 days in office.

Others were the construction of Eberi Mordern Market, renovation of Eberi Hospital, construction of hospital and rural road in Ward 2 as well as the construction of a secondary school project in Ward 10 as ongoing projects started by his administration that were near completion within three to four months period.

He pointed out with pleasure that Governor

Fubara had taken over the construction of the modern school project and the road construction.

On the human capacity development, the chairman said that his administration introduced an empowerment programme where an Omuma indegene was given one million naira every month to support his or her business.

“On education development, we have constituted a Scholarship Board to award scholarships to 10 best students of Omuma origin from year one to final year, and also we have resolved to award overseas scholarships to three Omuma indigenes to study abroad in science, medicine and engineering related disciplines. We want to leave a legacy that we will be remembered when we leave office”, he stated

According to him, his administration has proposed to establish a modern hotel in the area and also embark on mechanized agriculture to boost the revenue and tourism of the local government area.

He used the opportunity to thank the people of the local government area for their support for the Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and assured that Omuma people would continue to support the present administration in the state.

Akujobi Amadi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Fubara Approves N50m For Widows Of Fallen Service Personnel

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Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has announced a N50 million donation to widows of service personnel, who lost their lives defending the country.
He announced the donation while addressing legionnaires and service personnel during the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Fubara said the donation was a gesture of gratitude for the sacrifices made by the deceased personnel and their families.
“The N50 million is dedicated solely to the welfare of the widows of our fallen heroes.
“The fund will help them address pressing needs, such as school fees, house rents, and support for their businesses, among other sundry matters”, he said.
The Governor described the Armed Forces Remembrance Day as an occasion to honour the bravery of the veterans, whose dedication helped secure the country and safeguard its sovereignty.
He recalled the evolution of Nigeria’s armed forces, citing their involvement in the First and Second World Wars, international and regional peacekeeping missions, the civil war, and current internal security operations.
“Throughout these challenges, our armed forces have remained resolute, defending our nation, maintaining peace, upholding our integrity, and ensuring the survival of our beloved country.
“Even today, our servicemen and women are on the frontlines, courageously combating insurgencies and other security threats.
“These sacrifices have come at a great cost, with thousands of soldiers paying the supreme price and many returning with life-altering injuries”, he said.
Fubara expressed his “heartfelt gratitude” to serving armed forces personnel, paramilitary officers, legionnaires, and the families of the fallen heroes for the contributions to the nation’s security.
He attributed the relative peace in the state to the collaborative efforts between the government and security agencies.
He urged Nigerians to honour the sacrifices of those who laid down their lives for the country, saying that such recognition would inspire the serving personnel to serve with dedication.
“We assure the people that we will continue to provide the necessary support to security formations in the state to ensure effective discharge of their duties”, the Governor said.
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Rivers

Kelga Boss Tasks Residents On  Peace … As Elele Community Holds Thanksgiving 

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Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area (LGA), Mr. Isreal Obosi, has urged the people to  embrace peace and  not allow  political crisis in the state to discourage them from supporting the Governor Siminalayi Fubara-led administration in the state and Ikwerre LGA at large.
Speaking at the end of year annual service Thanksgiving, with the theme: “Celebrating God’s faithfulness”, in Elele Town, Ikwerre LGA, Obosi  said the political  problems ravaging  the LGA and state is  discouraging.
He said, “as a people we will continue to present those  problems before God. So, be courageous. Again, we must not allow any problem to distract us from supporting the Governor Fubara-led administration in the state.
“When a people fail to realize the importance of God in their lives, they  are doomed And such people and community are likely to face challenges”.
The Chairman stated that Elele Okiniali is the land that fears God and  has many pastors and apostles. He called on them to continue to seek the face God in all the challenges in the LGA and the state.
He also urged the political class, traditional rulers, and religious leaders in the 14 Wards of the LGA to see themselves as part of this administration, stressing on the need for stakeholders to make constructive criticism when necessary, while assuring that he will give all the communities in the LGA equal opportunities.
 Also speaking, the Paramount Ruler/Nye Nwe Ali of Elele, Okiniali/Elele Alimini, HRM Eze Marcus Ordumah Woyike, said since he is a peacemaker he has been working around the clock to foster peaceful co-existence at Elele Okiniali/Elele Alimini.
He said part of his peace-keeping mandate is to complement Governor Fubara’s peace initiative and effort.
“Those who know me very well know that I am a peacemaker. In fact, on the important subject of peace, I have heeded to the advice of Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Indeed, my effort towards peace is to complement that of the Governor  in the state”, he said.
Eze Woyike explained that as a monarch, who commences the meeting of his council of chiefs and elders with prayer, he would continue with this approach in 2025, assuring that the peace that prevailed in 2024 will continue in 2025  throughout his domain.
“My prayer is that the peace we experienced in 2024 at Elele Okiniali/Elele Alimini will continue in 2025, because when peace reigns there will be growth and development as well as progress in life.
“2025 will be another year of peace and prosperity for the people of Elele Okiniali/Elele Alimini, Ikwerre LGA and Rivers State at large”, he said.
On his part, the chairman of the 2024 Elele Okiniali thanksgiving service planning committee, Engr. Collins Amadi, said the 2024 thanksgiving service was the 3rd edition.
He explained that the purpose of the annual thanksgiving service was to hand over Elele Town to God through prayers and praises and bring the people together.
He lauded the chairman of Ikwerre LGA, Mr. Obosi, for his support and presence at the thanksgiving service, urging all Elele politicians who failed to attend the 2024 thanksgiving service to repent and attend the next edition.
Akujobi Amadi
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