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UMTH: Orchard, for the Benefits of Patients’ Healing
UMTH: Orchard, for the Benefits of Patients’ Healing
By: Balami Lazarus
Hospitals are considered universally to be the most serene environment where patients are expected to have the best healthcare services and attention and also to be provided with quality medical treatment and care through their doctors and caregivers, aided by other health workers, to enable the sick ones to recuperate, feel better, and get well. How can our hospitals achieve this?
However, this can be achieved not only by discharging their primary objectives through the provision of medical treatments but also in some other related friendly environmental health windows.
When the NEWSng team took a post-flood visit to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) recently to assess some projects like the one and only Interventional Radiology Centre (IRC) in Nigeria and the Stroke Centre (SC), among other few ongoing projects that are not peculiar to most hospitals in Nigeria.
Farms are of different types, but the one in question herein is an orchard, a special kind of farm. Orchards have never been part of the hospital environment, while gardens and parks are a common sight in our hospitals. Therefore, UMTH, under the able good leadership of Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo, decided to make yet another landmark by establishing a large orchard within the hospital premises in Maiduguri.
Why an orchard in UMTH? Speaking to the CMD, Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo on the Orchard project, he happily said, “The Orchard is meant to provide a conducive environmental atmosphere/space for patients, their relatives, visitors, staff, and students to have contact with and the feel of the natural environment provided by the Orchard.” He further emphasized by saying that “patients will have a natural environment for them to relax, which will help in their healing processes.” He informed NEWSng that it is also meant to provide sources of fresh fruits for the patients and members of the hospital community at affordable prices. “The Orchard is not only established to provide leisure/relaxation, but its products—fruits—are going to be sold to assist in maintaining the facilities of the orchard.”
In the course of our reports, NEWSng spoke to Mr. Abubakar Sadiq Dawule, officer in charge of the orchard, who took us round. The Orchard is 1.75 hectares of land totaling 26 plots that are 25 meters in size. Abubakar Dawule said that each plot is planted with a single variety of economic tree that bears quality fruits. All the plots are planted with single different varieties of economic trees like cashew, custard apple tree , mango , orange, banana, guava, mango apple, pawpaw, date trees, tangerine, berries of different kinds, watermelon, and other varieties of economic trees/plants.”
Sadiq further informed NEWSng that the aims of the orchard are “to create a green area of plantation that will provide economic trees for the production of fruits.” He also said that is to help reduce global warming and provide protection for the hospital’s environmental beauty. “To have natural environment space for nutritional benefits of patients to improve their healing.
UMTH Orchard has standard functional facilities like a water fountain, a set of concrete backrest seats in each plot, and an office block consisting of shops, stores, and restrooms. The orchard is beautifully designed with paved walkways to each plot and free flow of water to all the plots. It is fenced with one main entrance. These efforts are carried out by an 18-man workforce, including security operatives, to secure the orchard.
Interestingly, the UMTH Orchard was sponsored by a well-meaning Nigerian Hon. Abdulmalik Zubairu Bungudu (Zanna Bungudu), a member of the National Assembly—House of Representatives representing the Bungudu/Maru Federal constituency of Zamfara State, with the sum of 20 million Naira.
Challenges faced by the Orchard, according to Abubakar Sadiq Dawule, are the need for additional borehole walkways and lights and more fertilizer/manure.
Garden scissors, an axe, a cutlass, and watering cans, among other handy tools, “are necessary for the maintenance of the orchard.”
UMTH: Orchard, for the Benefits of Patients’ Healing
Armed bandits kill man, abduct nine in macitta village, niger state
By: Zagazola Makama
Nine people were abducted and one man killed when armed bandits attacked Macitta village in Mariga Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State late Wednesday night, sources confirmed.
Sources said that around 11:30 p.m., a large group of armed bandits entered the community via Kotonkoro District, shooting sporadically. One of the residents, Aliyu Dan Tsohon Soja, 35, was shot dead during the attack. The identities of the nine abducted victims are yet to be confirmed.
Security forces , local vigilantes, and hunters were mobilized to the area, and the body of the deceased was evacuated to the General Hospital, Bangi, for autopsy. Efforts are ongoing to track down the attackers and ensure the safe rescue of the kidnapped individuals.
Authorities have urged residents to remain alert and report any information that may assist in the rescue operations and apprehension of the bandits.
Armed bandits kill man, abduct nine in macitta village, niger state
Three children die in bush fire while grazing cattle in Mokwa, Niger state
By: Zagazola Makama
Three children lost their lives after being engulfed by fire while grazing cattle in Tungan-Noma village, Mokwa Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State on Wednesday, sources confirmed.
According to sources, the children Huzairu (12), Aliru (11), and Kabiru Surajo (12) went out for cattle grazing around 12:30 p.m. and entered a deep gully in the bush.
They reportedly set dried grasses on fire in an attempt to trap small bush animals. Unfortunately, the flames spread rapidly, trapping the children and preventing their escape.
The lifeless bodies were recovered and evacuated to the General Hospital, Mokwa, for autopsy. Authorities visited the scene to assess the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The incident draw attention to the dangers children face in rural areas, particularly when engaging in outdoor activities without supervision.
Parents have been urged to exercise caution and ensure children’s safety during such activities.
Three children die in bush fire while grazing cattle in Mokwa, Niger state
Police foil kidnap attempt on Benin-Lagos expressway, rescue 14 victims
By: Zagazola Makama
Fourteen passengers, including four juveniles, were rescued after an attempted kidnap by armed gunmen along the Benin–Lagos Expressway at Isiuwa, Edo State, police sources confirmed on Wednesday.
The incident occurred around 5:00 p.m., when about 20 gunmen, divided into three groups, emerged from the bush and opened sporadic fire on moving vehicles.
The assailants attempted to attack policemen stationed at a checkpoint but were repelled by responding officers, who coordinated with the Operation Rescue Team, CP Intelligence Squad (Buffalo Team), and Nigerian soldiers.
Two Toyota Sienna vehicles were targeted. One, with registration number RSH 210 CH, was carrying seven passengers from Imo State to Ondo State, while the second, AME 211 YL, carried six passengers.
Police stormed the bush where the gunmen had taken the victims, successfully rescuing ten adults and four juveniles. The rescued included Frederick God Bless, Prosper Admijom, Oluyemi Bolu, Amoo Muyiwa, Ifoma Uchije, Daniel Chibuzo, Solomon Audu, Samuel Chibuke, Kemi Olayiwola, Ugochukwu Irozuruike, and juveniles Chidera Ochije, Augustine Ochije, Chukwuka Ochije, and Obiakor Chisom.
During the chaos, one Abba Adam, a conductor of a Howo truck with registration DED 638 XB, jumped out of his vehicle and was struck by an oncoming truck, dying on the spot. His body was recovered and deposited at Emiloju Medical Center, Okada Junction.
Three passengers are still missing, and search efforts are ongoing. Some of the rescued victims have since continued their journey safely.
Police foil kidnap attempt on Benin-Lagos expressway, rescue 14 victims
Four killed, three injured in lakurwa bandit attack on baidi village, sokoto state
Armed bandits kill man, abduct nine in macitta village, niger state
Three children die in bush fire while grazing cattle in Mokwa, Niger state
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