Chief of Naval Staff, Dele Ezeoba
The Nigerian Navy (NN) has stated that the low HIV/AIDS indices of its personnel could be attributed to constant awareness and mass enlightenment carried out by the force.
The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command (WNC), Rear Admiral Ibok Ibas made this disclosure during the 2013 Health Week lecture organised by the Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft, Commodore Chris Ezekobe.
At the health event which was held at the Navy base in Apapa, Ibok said although the focus was also on hypertension and diabetes mellitus, it was however gratifying that the personnel were highly enlightened on dangers associated with the illnesses.
He added that the service would continue with the enlightenment campaign in all formations in order to ensure a healthy workforce, which would in effect produce effective and efficient workers who are fit for duty.
In his speech, Ezekobe commended the improved indices, adding that the NN had in the recent past been battling with the high morbidity and mortality rate especially among ratings.
He said, "This could be attributed to lack of awareness of their health status and poor management of their prevailing illnesses, but that has become a thing of the past because most of these illnesses could be prevented by simple awareness, prompt diagnosis and treatment.
“If adequate attention is given to healthy living, the NN would be able to boast of an effective workforce which would be used to achieve her constitutional role in protecting the nation’s maritime domain.”
Meanwhile, some of the resource persons drawn from different specialties of the medical field stressed the need for the personnel to extend its mandatory annual medical check-up to both officers and ratings.
While addressing the personnel, Dr. Lilian Ibe, of the Naval Medical Centre, Naval Dockyard, advised officers of all ages to constantly check their blood pressure in order to avoid the risk of becoming hypertensive.
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