The Defence & Police Officers Wives’ Association (DEPOWA) has disclosed its plans to set up a World class Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD, Diagnostic, Treatment, Rehabilitation and Research Centre for the Personnel of the Armed forces of Nigeria who are in the theater of war against insurgents.
Addressing a Press Conference in Abuja, the DEPOWA President, Barr. Vickie Irabor said the centre will help to evaluate, counsel, and provide adequate support to personnel before reintegration from conflict zones.
Irabor says the establishment of the center is necessitated by some of the challenges being faced by the personnel of the Armed forces in the frontline which according to her is not only limited to physical injuries and paying the supreme price but also the display of some behavioral changes that are triggered in response to trauma experienced in the daily discharge of their duty at conflict zones.
She further advocated need for sensitization on mental health acceptance, especially the issue of PTSD treatment and anti-stigmatization, to enable personnel submit to specialist care tha is necessary for societal development.
While calling on all relevant stakeholders, the private sector, NGOs, International development organizations to join DEPOWA in the campaign for a better Nigeria, Barr Irabor noted that the Phase 1 of the project is proposed to be commissioned by April 2023, and the center will sited at Mohammadu Buhari Cantonment, Giri, Abuja.
