The Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) has significantly boosted healthcare delivery at the Military Hospital in Ikoyi, Lagos, by donating and commissioning a suite of vital medical equipment. The project, which also included the renovation of the facility's Accident and Emergency Ward, was officially launched by the NAOWA President, Mrs. Safiyyah Hassan Shaibu, who is also the wife of the Chief of Army Staff.
Enhancing Emergency Medical Response
The commissioning event took place on 17 December 2025, as part of the broader activities for the ongoing Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference. The newly installed equipment is set to transform emergency care at the hospital. The donated items include:
- A medium-sized oxygen concentrator
- A multiparameter patient monitor
- A manual suctioning machine
- An autoclave sterilising unit
- An Automatic External Defibrillator (AED)
According to medical officials, these tools are crucial for managing critically ill patients by monitoring vital signs like respiratory rate and blood oxygen concentration.
Hospital Leadership Expresses Gratitude
The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Brigadier-General Paul Ebute, expressed profound appreciation for NAOWA's generosity. He highlighted the immediate impact of the autoclave steriliser, which allows for on-the-spot sterilisation of instruments within the emergency ward, eliminating the previous need to transport them to the main theatre.
"The provision of this world-class equipment will greatly aid in expediting the recovery process of our patients," Brig.-Gen. Ebute stated. He emphasized that the equipment would enhance the unit's capacity to handle both regular and irregular critical cases effectively.
A Call for Expansion and Broader Conference Events
During the event, the CMD also appealed for the Nigerian Army's intervention to expand the hospital's infrastructure. He noted that the Ikoyi Military Hospital, a key reference facility within the Army's healthcare system, currently has a limited capacity of only about 10 patients in the emergency ward. Structural expansion is urgently needed to accommodate more patients.
The equipment handover was not the only significant event during the COAS conference. The conference was declared open by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima. In a solemn moment, financial support cheques were presented to five families of deceased soldiers. Furthermore, Vice President Shettima unveiled a book dedicated to the life and service of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.
Tour of Renovated Facilities
Following the commissioning ceremony, NAOWA President Safiyyah Hassan Shaibu conducted a guided inspection tour of the newly renovated Accident and Emergency Ward. She also visited the hospital's Pediatrics and Gynaecology departments to assess their condition and needs. This action underscores NAOWA's ongoing commitment to supporting military families and improving welfare facilities across Army formations.
