The Association of Resident Doctors at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (ARD-UATH), Gwagwalada, has trained 237 law enforcement officers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on how to effectively handle accident and emergency victims.
Participants included 80 officers from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), 117 from the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), and 40 officers from the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), all under the Gwagwalada Command.
The three-day training, which ran from Wednesday, June 18 to Friday, June 20, also featured a free medical outreach for the officers.
Speaking during the event in Abuja on Friday, Dr. Adams Egwakhide, Chief of Staff and Chairman of the Committee on Special Duties at ARD-UATH, said the initiative was aimed at supporting service members who often face unique occupational health challenges.
“Many of them prioritise work over their own health and only seek care when complications arise. This outreach brings essential health services directly to them, encouraging early detection and preventive care,” Egwakhide stated.
He added that the programme also sought to foster collaboration and mutual trust between healthcare professionals and other government agencies.
“This partnership is vital in building mutual understanding and improving communication between resident doctors and service officers in Gwagwalada,” he added.
The outreach included health education, disease screenings—such as for hypertension, viral hepatitis, and breast and cervical cancer—as well as medical consultations aimed at promoting lifestyle changes and encouraging regular health follow-ups.
Dr. Egwakhide noted that the association plans to extend similar medical outreaches to underserved communities, including markets, schools, churches, orphanages, and government institutions across the Gwagwalada axis.
He also expressed optimism about future partnerships with the Gwagwalada Area Council and various NGOs to further expand the initiative’s reach.
“Feedback from the officers has been overwhelmingly positive. For some, this was their first time undergoing screenings like the hepatitis B test,” he said.
Also speaking, Dr. Adewale-Premiere Adeleye, President of ARD-UATH, expressed satisfaction with the success of the programme.
“It gives me great joy that this training happened during my tenure. It strengthens our synergy with law enforcement agencies, which is critical in times like this,” he said.
Adeleye emphasized the importance of equipping first responders with life-saving skills, especially amid the ongoing brain drain affecting Nigeria’s healthcare system.
“With many healthcare professionals leaving the country, those of us who remain must not face unnecessary barriers while on duty,” he stated.
He further noted that the training, titled “How to Handle Accident/Unconscious Victims,” covered basic life support techniques specifically tailored for first responders.
The officers appreciated both the training and the medical services, describing the initiative as timely and impactful.
