17 Brigade Medical Centre Unveils Child-Friendly Paediatric Ward To Enhance Patient Care
The Commander, 17 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ishaya Ibrahim, commissioned a newly transformed child-friendly paediatric ward at the 17 Brigade Medical Centre, Natsinta Cantonment, Katsina State, on 17 July 2026, marking a significant step towards enhancing healthcare delivery and promoting child-centred care within the formation.
The project was conceived and executed by a Corps Member Nurse Nagipekoi Aaron Ali, an indigene of Adamawa State currently serving at the 17 Brigade Medical Centre under the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). She holds a Bachelor of Nursing Science from Garden City University College, Kumasi, Ghana and a Master of Public Health from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
The colourful transformation of the paediatric ward was designed to provide a more welcoming, comforting and engaging environment for young patients. Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Corps Member Nurse Nagipekoi Aaron Ali explained that the initiative was inspired by her sincere desire to create a child-friendly atmosphere capable of easing children’s fears, reducing anxiety, brightening their hospital experience and positively supporting their emotional well-being throughout treatment and recovery. She noted that children often associate hospitals with pain and fear, stressing that an environment adorned with vibrant colours, educational illustrations, and child-friendly decorations can significantly improve their emotional response to medical care and contribute positively to the healing process.
Quoting the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale, who said, “The very first requirement in a hospital is that it should do the sick no harm,” she observed that healthcare extends beyond clinical treatment to creating an atmosphere that nurtures healing, hope, and comfort. According to her, the environment in which a child receives care can be just as important as the treatment itself.
In his remarks, the Commander, 17 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ishaya Ibrahim, commended the corps member for her creativity, compassion and commitment to improving healthcare delivery. He described the initiative as a commendable demonstration of selfless service and innovation, noting that such projects complement the Nigerian Army’s efforts to enhance the welfare of patients and improve the standard of healthcare services within its medical facilities.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by officers, soldiers, medical personnel, NYSC members and invited guests, who lauded the initiative as a meaningful intervention that will positively impact paediatric healthcare delivery at the 17 Brigade Medical Centre.
The project further demonstrates the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to delivering quality healthcare services while fostering a conducive and compassionate environment that promotes holistic healing for patients, especially children. It also reflects the Nigerian Army’s continued support for innovative and impactful initiatives by National Youth Service Corps members serving in its formations. By providing an enabling environment for corps members to apply their knowledge and contribute meaningfully to national development, the Nigerian Army reaffirms its dedication to nurturing excellence, encouraging community-focused service and strengthening civil-military relations.
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