Israel Trains Nigerian Health Workers on Maternal Emergency Care

By: Michael Mike

Israeli doctors in collaboration with the embassy of Israel in Nigeria have trained Nigerian healthcare professionals in life-saving maternal emergency care as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s response to childbirth-related complications and reduce preventable maternal deaths.

The five-day clinical training programme, led by Israeli medical specialist, Professor Offer Erez, was held at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, from October 5 to 9, 2026.

The programme brought together doctors, obstetricians, gynaecologists, midwives, professors, clinical lecturers and other healthcare professionals for specialised instruction in postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), obstetric emergencies, thrombosis, haemostasis and emergency response protocols.

Postpartum haemorrhage, a condition involving excessive bleeding after childbirth, remains a major cause of maternal deaths worldwide. The embassy cited World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates indicating that Nigeria records about 75,000 maternal deaths annually, underscoring the need to improve emergency obstetric care and access to skilled medical intervention.

Speaking during her official visit to Enugu State, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Israel in Nigeria, Ms Racheli Stavissky, reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s healthcare development through medical expertise, innovation and professional capacity building.

She said every mother deserved access to safe childbirth and quality emergency medical care, adding that behind every maternal mortality statistic was a woman, a family and a community.

Stavissky said Israel was proud to share its medical expertise with Nigerian healthcare professionals, noting that equipping doctors, midwives and medical educators with advanced clinical skills could save lives beyond the duration of the training.

She also expressed the embassy’s readiness to expand cooperation with UNTH in maternal healthcare, medical education and emergency medicine.

The training combined evidence-based clinical instruction, high-fidelity medical simulations, practical sessions and multidisciplinary emergency response exercises.

Participants received specialised instruction in the early detection and management of obstetric haemorrhage, maternal stabilisation, haemostatic resuscitation, emergency blood transfusion protocols and coordinated clinical decision-making.

A major component of the programme was the Training-of-Trainers approach, designed to equip Nigerian healthcare professionals with the knowledge and practical skills to train their colleagues and extend improved emergency obstetric care to other healthcare institutions.

Erez commended the commitment and professionalism of Nigerian healthcare workers, describing the collaborative learning environment at UNTH as encouraging.

He said the training was designed to strengthen healthcare teams’ ability to recognise and manage life-threatening obstetric complications through practical simulations, evidence-based haemorrhage management and coordinated emergency response.

“Our goal is to bridge the gap between clinical knowledge and emergency response while empowering Nigerian doctors, midwives and medical educators to transfer these skills to others,” he said.

Erez added that building local capacity to train other healthcare professionals was essential to sustaining the benefits of the programme and improving maternal health outcomes.

The Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, also welcomed the Israeli delegation, describing the initiative as an important contribution to healthcare development in the state.

Mbah said strengthening the healthcare system required more than investment in infrastructure, stressing the importance of continuous professional development, access to international expertise and modern approaches to patient care.

He expressed appreciation to the Embassy of Israel and the medical team, saying the specialised training would enhance the capacity of healthcare professionals to respond to critical maternal emergencies.

The governor also expressed the state government’s interest in expanding cooperation in medical education, healthcare innovation and institutional capacity development.

The embassy said it remained committed to partnerships aimed at strengthening institutions, improving healthcare delivery and promoting the wellbeing of communities across Nigeria.

Israel Trains Nigerian Health Workers on Maternal Emergency Care

Thousands Flood Taraba Medical Outreach as Nentawe’s Birthday Initiative Offers Lifeline to Rural Residents

By: Michael Mike

Beneficiaries Praise APC Chairman’s Humanitarian Gesture, Demand Bigger Investment in Healthcare System

Thousands of residents across Taraba State have received a new lease of hope as the Renewed Hope Free Medical and Surgical Outreach 2026 enters its second day, with beneficiaries applauding the intervention for bringing critical healthcare services closer to vulnerable communities.

The statewide medical programme, organised to mark the 58th birthday anniversary of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, has provided free medical consultations, laboratory tests, drugs, specialist care and surgical services to residents who would otherwise struggle to afford such treatments.

From Sunkani to Bali, Gembu, Takum, Bambur and Wukari, hundreds of men, women, children and elderly residents were seen trooping into designated medical centres from the early hours of the day, seeking attention from teams of doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists and other healthcare professionals.

A correspondent who monitored activities at the Primary Health Care Centre, Sunkani, and other centres across the state observed a heavy turnout of patients, many of whom described the outreach as a major relief for families battling rising healthcare costs.

The beneficiaries said the intervention had not only provided immediate treatment but had also restored hope among residents in communities where access to specialist healthcare remains a major challenge.

Mrs Deborah Isah, a resident of Sunkani who received treatment for malaria and typhoid, expressed appreciation to the organisers, describing the programme as a blessing to ordinary citizens.

“I thank Professor Nentawe Yilwatda for remembering people like us. I pray God grants him wisdom, good health and greater success,” she said.

Similarly, Mr Abubakar Ahmed, a farmer treated for typhoid, stomach-related ailments and eye problems, said the outreach had removed a huge financial burden from many rural families.

He commended the initiative for taking medical services directly to the people, while urging continued collaboration between government and humanitarian organisations to strengthen healthcare delivery across Taraba.

Another beneficiary, Miss Dorcas Ephesians, who sought treatment for persistent abdominal pains, described the medical team’s approach as professional and compassionate.

She appealed to the Taraba State Government to sustain and expand partnerships that would ensure vulnerable citizens have regular access to quality healthcare services.

Speaking at the Sunkani centre, the team lead, Dr Williams Golis, said the outreach was strictly humanitarian and designed to address healthcare needs without discrimination.

“This medical outreach is non-political and non-religious. Our priority is to provide quality healthcare through advanced specialist consultations, appropriate medical treatment and surgical interventions for everyone who needs them,” he said.

The Renewed Hope Free Medical and Surgical Outreach 2026 is planned as a three-week intervention targeting thousands of residents across Taraba’s three senatorial districts.

The first phase, which runs from August 3 to 7, is being conducted simultaneously at six healthcare facilities, including the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Wukari; General Hospital, Takum; General Hospital, Bali; General Hospital, Gembu; Bambur General Hospital; and the Primary Health Care Centre, Sunkani.

The official flag-off ceremony is expected on August 8, the birthday of Professor Yilwatda, while the second phase, scheduled from August 8 to 22, will move to the Federal Medical Centre and National Orthopaedic Hospital in Jalingo for advanced specialist consultations and complex surgical procedures.

Healthcare experts say the initiative highlights the role of humanitarian interventions and public-private partnerships in bridging healthcare gaps, especially in rural areas where many residents face difficulties accessing specialised medical services.

However, beneficiaries stressed that while the outreach has provided immediate relief to thousands, sustained investment in primary healthcare centres, specialist hospitals and affordable medical services remains crucial to solving Taraba’s long-term healthcare challenges.

Thousands Flood Taraba Medical Outreach as Nentawe’s Birthday Initiative Offers Lifeline to Rural Residents

Troops foil IED threat on Dikwa–Gajibo road, safely detonate explosive

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have discovered and safely detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) planted along the Dikwa–Gajibo road in Borno State, preventing what could have been a deadly attack on security personnel and commuters.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the device was discovered at about 10:10 a.m. on July 27 by troops of the 81 Division Task Force Battalion while conducting a routine picketing patrol along the Dikwa–Gajibo axis.

The sources said the patrol team immediately secured the area and alerted the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, which responded promptly and carried out a controlled detonation of the IED at the scene.

No casualties or damage were recorded during the operation.

Military sources described the successful detection and neutralisation of the explosive as part of ongoing efforts to counter the use of improvised explosive devices by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists targeting troops and civilian traffic in the North-East.

The operation underscores the continued vigilance of security forces in maintaining the safety of key supply routes and denying insurgents the opportunity to disrupt military and civilian movement across the theatre of operations.

Security sources added that the general security situation across the theatre remains calm but unpredictable, with troops maintaining high morale and operational readiness.

Troops foil IED threat on Dikwa–Gajibo road, safely detonate explosive