By Emmanuel Afonne
The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has inaugurated emergency health centres in 39 study centres across the country to strengthen healthcare support for students and staff.
The Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Uduma Uduma, inaugurated one of the facilities at the Abuja Model Study Centre, Dutse-Alhaji, along the Kubwa-Zuba Expressway on Tuesday.
Uduma said the initiative was part of the university’s commitment to extending quality welfare services beyond academics.
He said the 39 centres constituted the first phase of the project, adding that the programme would be expanded significantly by August.
“It is an ongoing process. All study centres will get these facilities for the benefit of our students because their lives are highly valued,” he said.
Uduma said the centres were designed to provide first aid and basic clinical support to students and staff before referrals to standard medical facilities were necessary.
According to him, students experiencing health challenges during examinations and other academic activities will now have access to immediate medical attention.
Uduma said the number of centres equipped with the facilities would double by August, while all NOUN study centres nationwide were expected to be covered before the end of the year.
He said the initiative aligned with the Federal Government’s policy on student welfare and healthcare delivery in tertiary institutions.
Uduma also commended the Nigerian Red Cross for supporting the training of university staff in an emergency response.
“I am happy that the Red Cross is training our staff.
“The university management has also approved the engagement of some nurses as volunteers for the programme,” he said.
He highlighted NOUN’s contribution to healthcare education, saying that more than 65 per cent of nurses in Nigeria with first degrees were trained by the university.
He said the figure was recently confirmed to the university management by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.
Earlier, the Head of Clinic, Dr Hassan Mohammed, said the centres were equipped to handle emergency cases and stabilise patients before referral to hospitals and medical centres.
Mohammed said staff members were undergoing continuous training to enhance emergency response capacity across the study centres.
He conducted the Vice-Chancellor and other officials round the facility, showcasing medical supplies and equipment, including oral rehydration salts, paracetamol, trauma response tools, cardiac machines and medicine storage facilities.
Senior officials at the inauguration included the Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Prof. Shehu Adamu and Prof. Christine Ofulue; the Registrar, Mr Oladipo Ajayi; the Bursar, Malam Nasiru Marafa; the University Librarian, Prof. Angela Okpala; and the Director of the Abuja Model Study Centre, Prof. Nebath Tanglang.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
