RSUTH strengthens emergency care

by OKORO CHINEDU
LAGOS, (CAJ News) – THE Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) has launched a specialised training programme in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), as part of efforts to strengthen emergency response and improve the clinical skills of healthcare professionals.

The programme was formally inaugurated on Monday, 24 August 2026, by the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Professor Chizindu Dike Alikor, who emphasised the critical role of well-trained healthcare workers in responding swiftly and effectively to life-threatening medical emergencies.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Professor Alikor said the training would equip participants with the knowledge, practical skills and confidence required to make critical decisions and deliver timely interventions when faced with emergency situations.

He stressed that in such circumstances, the speed and appropriateness of a healthcare professional’s response can have a significant impact on patient outcomes.

According to the CMD, the first phase of the programme has commenced with 50 participants, with further phases planned to bring more healthcare professionals into the initiative.

The expansion, he said, would help ensure broader coverage and sustained capacity building across the teaching hospital.

The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr Vincent Wachukwu, who served as Special Guest of Honour, officially flagged off the programme, marking the commencement of the specialised training.

The opening session drew a significant number of healthcare professionals, including consultants and medical practitioners from across Rivers State.

Their participation highlighted the growing emphasis on advanced emergency care and continuous professional development within the state’s healthcare system.

The BLS and ACLS training forms part of the broader efforts by the Professor Alikor-led management of RSUTH to strengthen the hospital’s emergency preparedness and build a more capable clinical workforce.

Through continued investment in professional development and emergency response capacity, the hospital aims to enhance the delivery of safe, timely and quality healthcare to patients.

The initiative also reinforces RSUTH’s commitment to ensuring that its healthcare professionals are better prepared to respond to critical emergencies and provide effective care when it matters most.

– CAJ News