Towards improving the health of the citizens in Bauchi state and even beyond, drugs and consumables worth over $280,000 have been donated to the National Obstetric Fistula Center in Ningi, Bauchi state by the Canadian government in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Secretary of the Canada High Commission in Nigeria, Mrs Kibezu Kasubi as well as the Senior Development Officer, Health sector handed over the items formally to the Minister of Health Dr Osagie Ehanire who was represented by the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, (ATBUTH), Dr Mohammmed Alkali on Tuesday in Ningi.
Kibezu Kasubi said that the donation was done under a project embark upon by the Canadian government known as ‘addressing gaps in sexual-based violence’ being implemented by the UNFPA which was the reason for the inscription of Canada and UNFPA on the items donated adding that the gesture was part of the Canadian government’s contribution towards improving the wellbeing of the citizens in the state and beyond.
She added that it was their own way of giving back to the society considering the fact and conviction that government alone at any level alone cannot meet the yearnings and needs of the citizenry, therefore, the need for support from organisations that have the capacity to do so.
Kibezu Kasubi said: “This is a practical demonstration of the patriotic and humanitarian spirit, which prevails in Canada and made it one of the greatest nations of the world. We have learnt that the government alone cannot meet the needs of the citizenry and in emulating the Canadian spirit of giving back to society.”
The Canadian High Commission Secretary also said that the Canadian government had made similar donations, including quality drugs, equipment and strong partnership with the Nigerian government over the years.
In his remark, while receiving the items, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire said that health is all-inclusive services that require that both government, individuals, Philanthropist and friendly countries team up together to promote and provide it.
Speaking through his representative, ATBUTH CMD, Dr Mohammed Alkali, the Minister said that the donation has come at the right time and it will go a long way in complementing the efforts of government in providing effective health care delivery services to the people, particularly at the primary and secondary levels.
He urged the management of the Center to make good use of the items donated and provide them to the patients that need the services according to their needs.
Osagie Ehanire then assured that the Federal Government will continue to partner the Canadian government and other well-meaning individuals and groups in Nigeria towards actualising its objective in making life more meaningful for the citizenry.
He admonished the Center to make judicious use of the equipment for the full benefit of its patients and in furtherance of its humanitarian services to the people.
On his part, Dr Umar Ibrahim the Medical Director of the National Obstetric Fistula Center, Ningi said that the gesture was a big step in the development of the centre saying that the Federal Government is the sole sponsor of the Center by providing infrastructure and feeding of the patients that attend from across the country.
Umar Ibrahim said that: “With the coming of Canadian government by providing hospital beds, chairs consumables drugs among others will go a long way in managing the centre and enable it to provide the needed medical attention to the patients.
The drugs and consumables donated include hospital beds, plastic chairs mobile blood pressure machines, bedside cabinets, medication trolleys among others.
