Joy As Buhari’s Minister Commissions Medical Wards Renovated by Airtel Nigeria at LUTH
- The minister of health, Osagie Ehanire, has expressed delight over the renovation of Block A medical wards at LUTH
- The Block, which was renovated by Airtel Nigeria, attracted commendation by stakeholders in the health sector across the country
- Ehanire said that the renovation was in tandem with President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision in remodelling the health sector
Idi-Araba, Lagos - Osagie Ehanire, the minister of health has commended Airtel Nigeria for renovating and remodelling the Block A (medical wards) of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
Legit.ng reports that Ehanire made the commendation on Saturday, November 20, during the commissioning of Airtel LUTH project at the teaching hospital at the Idi-Araba area of Lagos state.
Source: Original
He said that the Airtel project tallied with President Muhammadu Buhari’s next-level modernisation agenda for teaching hospitals to improve the quality of care for Nigerians.
The minister said:
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“Since the beginning of this administration, much investment has gone into our tertiary level centres including LUTH, directly or in partnership.
“At this point, I will like to extend the appreciation of government to Airtel Nigeria for this excellent project, which, I am sure further increases the capacity of LUTH to deliver on its performance objectives.
“Airtel Nigeria also walked each step of the COVID-19 journey partnering with LUTH, a partnership which also saw the company donated 81 telephone lines to the hospital’s Psychosocial and Emotional Support Group."
Source: Original
Ehanire added that the federal government alone could not fund healthcare in any country, saying that it was necessary to urge more private sector investments in the Nigerian healthcare sector.
He said that with more investments, skilled and dedicated manpower from the private sector, the sky was the limit on the quest to improve the quality of care in Nigeria.
The minister said as endowed as LUTH is, there was room for value addition in terms of Corporate Social Responsibility or investments that would upgrade existing facilities.
He stated that others include bridging infrastructure gaps and introducing cutting-edge equipment and technology.
The minister urged the management and staff of the hospital to put the wards to good use and keep it well maintained to justify the generousity of Airtel to LUTH.
Speaking on the project, the Chief Medical Director, LUTH, Prof. Chris Bode lauded the involvement of the Group Chief Executive of Airtel Africa, Olusegun Ogunsanya in making the project a reality.
Bode, who commended the telecoms operator for its support toward the hospital, said Airtel Nigeria had walked every step of the COVID-19 journey in partnership with LUTH.
He said in recent years, all the wards became run down and they had barely rehabilitated Block B two years ago when they had to surrender it for use as COVID-Isolation Centre 18 months ago.
He said:
“Since the bronze plaque was unveiled 59 years ago at the inception of the institution, our facilities have been in use every day without respite.
“In recent years, all our wards became run down and we had barely rehabilitated Block B two years ago when we had to surrender it for use as COVID-19 isolation center 18 months ago. In fact, LUTH admitted and treated over 1000 COVID-19 patients, many with several life-threatening co-morbidities.
“Airtel Nigeria had walked every step of the COVID-19 journey in partnership with LUTH. The company gave 81 telephone lines to LUTH’s Psychosocial and Emotional Support Group which reached out to patients and their families following diagnosis and in the course treating over 20,000 patients in the megacity of Lagos. Airtel also provided Airtime for 3 months on each of these phone lines when we needed them most."
Source: Original
The Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Chemmenkotil Surendran, expressed delight for the completion of the project.
He said:
“I am delighted to be here to witness the commissioning of the renovated WARD-A Block of one of the most prestigious and important tertiary health institutions in West Africa, LUTH.’’
Surendran said the ward Airtel renovated and equipped with connectivity technologies was inaugurated 58 years ago under the directive of the federal government and today marked a momentous occasion in the hospital’s history.
He added:
“At Airtel, we keep our words and promises. We believe that we are a major stakeholder in Nigeria and we have a duty and responsibility to impacting the various communities we serve positively.
“It is our hope that this facility will further smoothen the delivery of healthcare services in Nigeria and help foster healthcare inclusion, especially among those who are in the lower rung of society."
Speaking on the project, Olusegun Ogunsanya who joined virtually, said that the company was committed to transforming lives, adding that members of his immediate family were infected by COVID-19 that ravaged lives across the globe.
Alhaji Isa Bello Sali, the chairman, LUTH management board, also encouraged other organisations to emulate Airtel, adding that government alone cannot fund the healthcare sector.
Nigerian finally doctors call off strike after due consultations
Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that the leadership of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Monday, October 4, called off its month-long strike.
It was reported that the Nigerian Medical Association's secretary-general, Ekpe Philips Uche, said in a statement that the association, after a meeting, advised striking doctors to call of the action.
The president of NARD, Godiya Ishaya, at the meeting, therefore, declared that the strike has been called off.
Source: Legit.ng
