Soldiers wounded in the frontline fight against Boko Haram terrorists currently receiving treatment at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna alledged have alledged preferential treatment of civilians to them.
Though they are receiving treatment free of charge, they expressed disappointment over the level of care they receive.
They said the upgrade of the facility was worthwhile, they however, appealed to the Federal Government and the military authorities to improve on their treatment, so that they can go back to battle field.
Speaking with newsmen on Friday, the said, they were protecting “the territorial integrity of the country as best as they could while on the field in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, where Boko Haram insurgents attacked them.
“Unfortunately, we are not being supported the way we ought to by the government,” one of them said.
“I was shot in the leg in Maiduguri, and in the process, I fractured my arm.
“Even though I was given care at Maiduguri before I was transported to Kaduna, I am, however, still in pain.
“My hand is healing gradually, but I am still having problems with my leg, where I was shot,” he said.
Another wounded soldier observed that the hospital gives priority attention to civilians because they pay for.treatments given to them compared to theirs that was free of charge.
“You know, because our treatment is free, they tend to take better care of the civil patients than us, maybe because they are paying. We are suffering,” he said.
Responding to the allegations, Col. Idimah was quick to say, “It is a lie.”
He explained that when wounded soldiers are brought from the war front, they are given care package at an arrival party to appreciate their effort.
Col. Idimah added that more consultants have been added to give adequate attention and cater for them.
“Recently, we employed about 12 more consultants, including four orthopaedic surgeons to promptly handle their cases.
“Their feeding is greatly enhanced to aid their recovery; and we have established a ranch to rear animals for their feeding.”
Recently, the German government helped us establish a trauma centre, which is known all over Africa and provided adequate funding for their prompt treatment and rehabilitation.
Wounded soldiers, who arrive at the hospital, are scheduled for surgery within 24 hours,” he said.
He also explained that disabled soldiers wounded in action are trained in computer skills to make them relevant, and soldiers discharged from the hospital are given transport fare to return to their units.
“These are all things put in place to improve their lives.
“In fact, even recently, the Chief of Army Staff hosted the wounded soldiers to a party,” he said.
However, for many of the wounded soldiers, apart from the state of their treatment, they are concerned over the non-payment of their allowances, and appealed to the military authorities to expedite the process.
“We want to call on the military authorities to pay us our allowances so that we can attend to the needs of our families.
“We have done our part, we have served our country and almost lost our lives, so they should also do their part and provide us with our allowances,” one of the soldiers said.
