NOUN Launches Emergency Health Centres For Swift Medical Response

The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has inaugurated emergency health centres across its study locations to provide swift medical assistance to students and staff during academic activities.

According to Ireporter Online, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma, officially unveiled the initiative on Tuesday at the Abuja Model Study Centre in Dutse-Alhaji, noting that the first phase will span 39 study centres, with plans to expand coverage to all centres nationwide before the end of the year.

He stated that the project remains ongoing and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to ensuring the well-being of its academic community, adding that every study centre will eventually be equipped with the facilities due to the high value placed on human life.

Prof. Uduma explained that the centres are designed to provide first aid and manage basic medical conditions, particularly during examinations and other academic engagements, before referring more serious cases to appropriate healthcare facilities.

He further noted that the initiative marks an end to situations where students struggle with health challenges during critical academic periods, stressing that the facilities are not intended to replace Health Maintenance Organisations but to stabilise patients prior to referral for advanced care.

The Vice-Chancellor also disclosed that volunteer nurses have been engaged, while staff members are undergoing emergency response training in collaboration with the Nigerian Red Cross Society.

He highlighted NOUN’s contribution to Nigeria’s healthcare sector, revealing that over 65 per cent of nurses with first degrees in the country were trained by the institution, a statistic confirmed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.

Earlier, the Head of Clinic, Dr. Hassan Mohamed, said the centres are equipped to handle routine emergencies and provide first aid services, adding that personnel will continue to receive training to strengthen their response capacity.

The facilities are fitted with trauma management equipment, heart-monitoring devices, essential medications, and proper drug storage systems, among other medical tools required for effective emergency care.

The inauguration was attended by senior university officials, including Deputy Vice-Chancellors Prof. Shehu Adamu and Prof. Christine Ofulue, Registrar Mr. Oladipo Ajayi, Bursar Mal. Nasiru Marafa, Librarian Prof. Angela Okpala, and Director of the Abuja Model Study Centre, Prof. Nebath Tanglang.