THE health profile of Ekiti State is rising, as a pact with a Canada-based non-government organisation (NGO) has boosted the operations of the state university teaching hospital (EKSUTH).
The NGO, CASA Foundation for International Development (CFID), donated a variety of medical equipment and disposables valued at millions of naira to EKSUTH.
The gesture was facilitated by the Ekiti Development Foundation (EDF).
Governor Kayode Fayemi has done a lot to enhance health infrastructure and operations in the state, including rolling out several health plans that continue to help the people.
It is reckoned that the partnership will greatly complement Fayemi’s efforts.
The event, which coincided with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between CFID and the EDF, held at the Central Medical Store of the hospital.
CFID focuses on empowerment through the promotion of infrastructural development with the objective of inspiring growth in communities, especially through the provision of equipment that promotes welfare and well-being of women and children.
EDF, which equally focuses on empowerment and advocacy programmes for women and children, is the initiative of Erelu Bisi Fayemi, wife of the state governor.
The equipment, according to the President of CASA, Ms Olutoyin Oyelade, included ultra-sound machines with approximately 10 probes; a complete dental room with dental chair, the arm, the lights, dental sinks and full-room cabinets.
Others items are two X-ray printers; automated external defibrillator; transfer stretcher with head and neck restrainers; computers and books meant to support the state hospital in its role as a tertiary healthcare provider.
In her speech at the event, Mrs Fayemi commended the efforts of the foundation, even as she urged Ekiti people in the Diaspora to continue to support the state in its drive towards development.
Emphasising the importance of reaching out to those indigenous to the state in the Diaspora, Mrs Fayemi said the trend of development in the state would be better assisted if private individuals could support the state from wherever they are.
“I am extremely proud that the EDF has managed to stay tuned to this vision and promises to the people of the state,” she said.
Mrs Fayemi stressed the need for public-spirited individuals to support the state government in the effort to stamp out want among the people, adding that such people are at liberty to choose how they want to render certain helps.
She promised that her foundation would monitor and manage the use of the machines in the hospital so that they can best serve the interest of the people.
According to her, EDF has, since inception, been supporting the state government in the areas of health, education, promoting women leadership and allied advocacies, youths, arts and culture as well as local philanthropy.
Mrs Fayemi signed the MoU on behalf of the foundation while the Chief Executive Officer of CASA, Ms. Oyelade signed for her organisation.
According to her, the foundation focuses on developing communities by empowering emerging leaders and spearheading social change in communities through development programmes in the public and private sectors.
Oyelade further said that the foundation was committed to developing communities by facilitating leadership programmes for youths and entrepreneurs, noting that CASA supports these initiatives by providing equipment that promotes the well-being of women and children in the health and education sectors.
She said: “Our activities in Africa are executed through like-minded partners in our regions of operation.
“Through our various programmes and partnerships, communities are supported, entrepreneurs are identified and encouraged to pursue their dreams by providing them with a wide range of support services including equipment, seminars, workshops, clothing, food, learning resources like books and computers.
“CASA Foundation also builds social wealth and facilitates international development through its annual Friends of Africa Roundtable in Canada where leaders in the public and private sectors across countries share their perspectives on key economic and infrastructure development initiatives.”
“Today marks the beginning of a great partnership with EDF as we proceed with our goal to support healthcare in Africa beginning with Nigeria’s Ekiti and Osun teaching hospitals.
“As you know, the resources required for growth and development in our communities are immense, but as we join hands to work together, some of these gaps can be bridged. EDF is an organisation that is spearheading the empowerment of women and entrepreneurs.
In his address, the Commissioner for Health, Professor Olusola Fasubaa, expressed his appreciation for the gesture of both the EDF and CASA foundations. He noted that it would be better for the hospital if more public-spirited individuals could offer supports and assistance to the hospital.
Fasubaa also commended the continuous support of the state government for the hospital which has helped the institution to improve in its role as a tertiary healthcare provider.
He urged the benefitting departments to make best use of the equipment, safeguard and secure them to encourage the donors do more in future.
In his brief remarks, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Patrick Adegun recalled when lack of infrastructure; including equipment drew caused patients to lament as they go to distant places to access services in such areas where the hospital lacked.
Adegun said: “You would recall that early this year, a friend of the hospital donated an equipment worth over N60m. We have also witnessed the donation of other types of needed equipment by various organisations and individuals such as Acare, the MTN Foundation and foreign-based friends of Governor Fayemi.
