The Nation Newspaper

Tag: medical services

  • Foundation offers residents medical services

    The Ganiyu Abiodun Foundation (GAF), in partnership with Eko Club International (ECI) Medical Mission, last Saturday offered medical services to Lagosians.

    The event was held at Okota Baptist Church playing ground, Ali Dada Street, Okota, Isolo, Lagos from 10am.

    Medical personnel rendered services to the constituents of Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency II and the public.

    The turnout was impressive, as the young and elderly took advantage of the foundation’s initiative to receive medical treatment.

    Free drugs and eye glasses were given to people.

    The recipients hailed the foundation and former Lagos State Commissioner for Works, Ganiyu Abiodun Johnson, whom they described as a man who cared for the well-being of people.

    They urged him not to relent.

    Johnson, an engineer, said he was impressed by the turnout.

    He reiterated his commitment to people’s welfare and promised to sustain the programme.

  • New tool brings world class medical services to ABUAD

    Tough health challenges? Overseas diagnosis may be just a click away – thanks to the equipment just acquired by the Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State (ABUAD).

    The Technical Partners of ABUAD Multi System Hospital, Aster DM Healthcare of Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) yesterday donated a telemedicine equipment to the 400-bed  hospital to support it and “in appreciation of the selfless achievements of its founder, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN”.

    With this equipment, ABUAD Multi System Hospital can engage in tele-consulting, tele-diagnosis and tele-management. A patient could be in front of the telemedicine equipment in Ado-Ekiti and doctors in Dubai would be able to diagnose what is wrong with him/her and advise on the appropriate treatment.

    The equipment will be used in procedures as consultants in Dubai would see what is going on in any of ABUAD’s five Modular Theatres and assist in whatever way possible.

    The donation was the high-point of the signing of the operations and management services agreement in technical services, managerial services and high and clinical services as well as training between the two partners, ABUAD Multi System Hospital and Aster DM Healthcare.

    Some of the services to be rendered by Aster DM Healthcare are the appointment of the chief operating officer (COO), operations plan, manpower planning, standard operating plans and system analysis and commissioning of the Hospital Information Management System (HIMS).

    Others are the supply of visiting super specialists to conduct medical missions. The collaboration will also result in the set-up of services for the benefit of Nigerians and patients undergoing cancer care.

    Part of the benefits accruable from the agreement is the provision of advice for smooth operations and development of ABUAD Multi System Hospital to ensure that it can offer high end clinical programmes for the benefit of Nigerian patients.

    ABUAD teachers, consultants, nurses and medical laboratory scientists as well as other allied medical professionals will be trained.

    Speaking at the signing of the agreement, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Aster DM Healthcare Dr. Harisha Pillai, who represented the Chairman of Aster Medicity Hospital, Kochi, Dr. A Moopen, hailed Babalola for doing so much in his hospital within a very short time.

    In his view, there is no reason for Nigerians to travel out for medical care because everything is now available in ABUAD Multi System Hospital.

    Pillai said the gesture was also in appreciation of the quantum of sophisticated and state-of-the-art equipment at the hospital.

    Pillai described ABUADTH as a quality hospital that boasts of one of the best medical facilities in African.

    The Dubai hospital’s CEO said his group was in Nigeria at Babalola’s request to deploy the best medical personnel in the hospital.

    Aster Group is an international brand in the health . It has presence in United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Philippines and India.

    Pillai said the hospitals managed by the group receive large number of Nigerians, many of whom tabled the request to have the expertise in Nigeria hospitals.

    He added: “We have a plan to collaborate with Nigerian doctors here, to train them, nurses and other paramedics to make ABUADTH self-sufficient in human resources.

    “We congratulate Aare Afe Babalola for making this health facilities available. We will deploy our Chief Operating Officer here within a month.

    “You know this hospital is located on a highway and we will train the personnel in trauma care, neurosurgical services, among others.

    “We also plan to bring paediatric surgeons here so that Nigerian children will no longer be taken abroad for life-saving surgeries.

    “Our role is to assist the local personnel to grow on the job and in five years’ time, patients from other parts of Africa will be coming here.”

    An obviously elated Babalola said the signing of the agreement yesterday made the day one of the happiest moments in his life and in the life of Nigeria.

    Beaming with smiles, the renowned lawyer described himself as “a fulfilled man” because of the way he has been able to impact his generation and the society.

    Babalola said his passion about reducing medical tourism abroad necessitated the establishment of the hospital.

    He said: “Their (Aster Group’s) consultants will come here periodically and in the process minimise the amount paid as medical expenses abroad.

    “This will help us reduce our foreign medical trips. For example,  a patient who spends an average of N5 million going overseas will get treatment at a cheaper rate.

    “We are bringing quality healthcare to the doorsteps of our people and this collaboration will reduce medical expenses our people pay outside the country.”

  • Lions Club, US NGO to provide free medicare

    Lions Clubs International District 404 B2 Nigeria in conjunction with an American based non-governmental organisation (NGO), Mercy International Medical Missions has provided three days medical services to no fewer than 3,000 people in Kwara State.

    Beneficiaries of the free medicare were tested on high blood pressure, diabetes, vision and dental care. Those diagnosed of one ailment or the other were provided with three months of free drugs, it was gathered.

    Declaring the event open, Lions Clubs Dirstrict Governor Samuel Ayobola solicited for donations from members of the public, inviting members of the public “join us so that we can have more hands and resources to continue to serve the less privileged.”

    He said, “For many years, we have devoted a lot of time and resources to eyes screening, treatment, surgery and distribution of free eyeglasses to the needy; but this is the first time that we are integrating diabetes and dental care on a large scale like this to our activities.”

    President, Mercy International Medical Missions Dr. Anu Esuola urged government at all levels in the country upgrade health services.

    “There should be more health outreaches like in India and China. I hope the president gets to hear this, there should be a ministry for Community Outreach so that people in Diaspora can assist.

    “If more budgetary allocation for the health is to get more resources, I will say yes, it is badly needed. The nation will be served well when the people and citizens are happy and they spend less on health.

    Let us do preventive health care. Let us be proactive than retroactive. Health education is important.”

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed represented by Health Commissioner Suleiman Alege hailed the president of the US-based NGO for her uncommon patriotism through partnership with the Lions Club.

    Governor Ahmed added that his administration is totally committed to the wellbeing of the state, “particularly their improved health.”

    He appreciated the kind gesture of the Lions Clubs and “to extend our hands of fellowship to other philanthropic organisations and well-meaning individuals to support our efforts and determination to make life worth living for the masses.”

  • NAF provides medical services to IDPs

    NAF provides medical services to IDPs

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has extended medical assistance to some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) hospitalised at the 47 NAF hospital in Yola, Adamawa State.

    Spokesperson of the 75 Strike Group Squadron Leader M.G Tsekaa said the gesture was part of NAF’s commitment to enhancing the civil-military relationship.

    He added that NAF has intensified air offensive campaign against Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeast in a bid to ensure the quick return of the IDPs to their homes.

    The Commander, 47 NAF Hospital Yola, Group Captain T. Kamla, said the assistance was also in line with the commitment of the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) to the well being of the IDPs.

    He said: “The hospital draws its inspiration and encouragement in dealing with the IDPs from the CAS’ unfettered commitment towards their wellbeing.

    “There are five consultants who pair up with our medical team to give the best diagnosis and treatment to the IDPs.”

    He added that the hospital treats 30 IDPs every quarter, especially those with serious health conditions.

    Beneficiaries thanked the NAF for the gesture. One of them, Mr. Goni Mohammed Mustapha, thanked the force for the care availed him since his admission.

    He said: “Our lives have been broken but every day, we hear sounds of NAF aircraft fighting for us and this gives us hope that the insurgents will be defeated and we shall return home one day.

    “The Air Force is also treating me and taking good care of me. I believe that I will live my normal life again.”

  • Foundation offers medical services

    Dangote Foundation has offered free health care services to the vulnerable and the poor in Katsina State.

    The programme is in continuation of its effort to create wider access to health care for the less-privileged.

    Thousands of ailing people, including elders and children, were treated free at the General Hospital in Kankia Local Government.

    The free medical outreach includes consultation, medicines and minor operations; advocacy on health and nutrition to women; and training of interns and workers.

    The programme was carried out in collaboration with the Katsina State government; Give-Back Nigeria, a United Kingdom (UK)-based charity organisation and Gachi Development Foundation.

    Governor Aminu Bello Masari, who inaugurated the three-day medical services, thanked the foundation and its collaborators.

    He described it as “a service to humanity for which God will surely reward the sponsors.”

    Programme was being mapped out by his administration to tackle health care challenges, adding that the Dangote Foundation has “greatly assisted in quickening the health programme”.

    The governor urged other spirited organisations to support the government to ensure the poor accessed quality healthcare services.

    The foundation’s Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Zouera Youssouffou, said they sponsored the free medical outreach because the health sector was a critical part of the group’s focus in contributing to the uplift of the society and the people.

    She said issues bordering on the people’s health were of concern to the Dangote Foundation and that was why it was involved in ensuring poor Nigerians benefited from sound health care services.

    “We were very active in the fight against the dreaded Ebola and jointly we defeated it. We also mounted a lot of campaigns to see that polio was eradicated. We are happy that today, one year down the line, no single case of polio has been recorded.

    “This shows that collectively, we can eradicate most of the diseases ravaging our people if we deploy the will. We in Dangote Foundation believe that health is wealth, and economic activity can succeed when the people are not ill,” Mrs. Youssouffou said.

    She added that the foundation would support the federal and state governments.

    The initiative came after the Dangote Foundation, in association with Bill and Melinda Bates Foundation, intervened in the fight against polio.

    The intervention helped in the eradication of the disease with news that no case has been recorded in the country in the last one year.

    Over the years, the foundation has injected huge amount of money to the development of the health sector.

    It is constructing N440 million state-of-the-art theatre and diagnostic centre at the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital in Kano.

    The foundation has disbursed about N600 million in the last three years on routine immunisation and primary healthcare in Kano State, as well as the building of 11 units of primary health care centres in its 11 councils.

     

     

  • Free medical services for Imo community

    Free medical services for Imo community

    •A patient being examined
    •A patient being examined

    Over 3000 villagers suffering from various ailments, ranging from high blood pressure, diabetes, malaria, among others, have been given free medical treatment at Onicha Uboma community in Ihite Uboma  Local Government Area of Imo State. Most of the recipients were old men and women.

    Their benefactor was a non-governmental organisation, the Satellite Medical Foundation (SMF).

    Before the intervention of the Foundation according to the President, Dr. Harold Onumo, scores of the villagers have died from treatable diseases as a result of ignorance.

    So it was a huge relief for the sick and the old in the community as they filed out in large numbers to the free medical treatment. Most of them were diagnosed of several ailments and given treatment, while others with more serious cases were referred to the Foundation’s Clinic in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

    According to the President, who is also the Medical Director, the gesture is a pilot community project, which embarks on free monthly medical services to rural communities using the mobile clinic.

    He said that the mobile hospital, which is solely funded by the Foundation is moved to the communities where there are no hospitals or quality healthcare centers or access to genuine drugs.

    Onumo disclosed further that the Foundation has given out hundreds of free medical cards to patients and has maintained a database of the benefitting patients for effective follow up treatments.

    He said, “In the course of this outreach, we discovered that scores of people have died in the rural communities as a result of treatable ailments like hypertension, which is the major cause of stroke and heart attack. In most of the communities, these attacks are blamed on evil forces and this has not helped their condition.

    ”We have also discovered that ignorance and lack of access to genuine drugs and healthcare services have contributed to over 60% of deaths recorded in the rural areas. So it is our intension to extend the free medical care to other parts of the state but we are having constraints of funds and manpower. We are hoping to collaborate with related agencies to continue to extend these services to the rural communities in the state and beyond.

    ”Currently we have seven medical doctors in different fields, two pharmacists and two lab scientists and several Nurses in the team. We also have plans to establish a community health insurance scheme to enable the poor rural dwellers access quality medicare at little cost. This we hope to achieve by sponsoring an independent bill at the State House of Assembly”.

    However, Dr Onumo lamented that the activities of the Foundation have been impeded by mounting challenges, which include, the high cost of developing capacity and manpower base to reach out to more communities, inadequate funding, among other challenges.

    He stated that, “the challenge is enormous and it is becoming difficult to finance the activities of the Foundation alone. For instance we are not only involved in the direct treatment of ailments; we are also involved in counseling and advocacy on the kind of lifestyle that are permissible to diseases. We have in the past three years that the Foundation started, shared out over 10,000 treated mosquito nets to the people in the rural communities. The financial burden is quite enormous”.

    Speaking on why he took up the burden of caring for the health need of the poor rural dwellers, the soft spoken medical practitioner, stated that, “my motivation is the my knowledge that many rural dwellers could not on their own access basic healthcare. When we started, people thought it was politically motivated but this is our own way of extending care and love to the poor people in the society”.

    Commending the initiative, some of the beneficiaries appealed to the Foundation to sustain the programme and extend it to other villages.

    73-year-old Mrs. Eunice Okeoma, who was diagnosed of diabetes, stated that, “I thank God for the doctors, before they came we have been suffering but now I have received free treatment and I am grateful to these people.

    “Most of us suffer from hypertension and arthritis and we cannot travel the long distance to the city to get treatment and we don’t also have the money, so when the people came we thought that they were going to collect money so many people did not come out but when we found out that it was free, many people came out to be examined.

    “Another other thing we love about them is the kind manner they attend to us, irrespective of the fact that we are not paying any money. Our prayer is that God will reward them and give them the power to continue to assist poor people”.

    A community leader, Chief Paul Udodinma, said that, “before now we were dying of ignorance because we had blamed our fate on evil forces. Now we know that hypertension and other diseases that were afraid of are treatable. We thank members of the Foundation for this gesture”.