The Lagos Ikoyi Lions Club, under District 404 A1 Nigeria of the Lions Club International, has donated a refurbished Paediatric Surgical Unit of the Children’s Ward to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos.
Mrs Adetutu Nelson, President, Lagos Ikoyi Lions Club, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.
Nelson said that the refurbished part of the Children’s Ward, worth three million naira, was to boost Children’s’s healthcare service.
She said that the decision to refurbish the unit of the Children’s Ward was inspired after a visit with the immediate past president to the hospital.
“Like a Lion, every president has to do a core project by looking around the environment to see the needs that require urgent attention.
“I chose the Paediatric Children’s Ward due to its bad shape and decided to make it a core project.
“ We raised the funds, and we got 11 new beds, 10 side cupboards, 10 drip holders and painted the ward.
“It was a total refurbishment of the E4, Olukoye Ransome Kuti Children Emergency Block in LUTH,” she told NAN on the sidelines of the handing over of the refurbished Children’s unit.
Nelson, however, said the main aim was to ensure that Children on admission were comfortable and feel relaxed within the hospital environment.
“We chose to also do the commissioning on Children’s Day to celebrate them and make them feel loved.
“During this period of COVID-19, Children who are ill should be shown love and care, and parents should endeavour to bring up children with good morals to guide them as they grow.
“I urge the government to do more so that their impact is felt.
“I also commend the state government for their proactiveness during the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said.
Also, Prof. Lanre Adeyemo, Chairman Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) of LUTH, who represented the Chief Medical Director, commended the club for the donation.
Adeyemo urged other humanitarian organisations to emulate the club and also perform a Corporate Social Responsibility to be socially responsible and contribute to the growth of the society.
“This is not the first time the Lions are contributing to the growth of the hospital, especially at the period when we are seriously challenged in terms of funding and situations around.
“We sincerely hope that this is not going to be a one-off donation.
“ I can also assure you, on behalf of the Chief Medical Director, that we are going to make good use of the donation you have given us.
“LUTH is a foremost hospital in Nigeria and also well known; we are a multi-specialist hospital and we have all specialists in Nigeria and we are 800 beds hospital.
“We take care of all ailments, including having a 120 beds COVID-19 Ward which is presently full and we are doing our best.
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“The reason why we are doing well is that, apart from the government’s support, we are enjoying supports from organisations like the Lions Club,” he said.
Also, Retired AVM Anthony Okpere and member of the club, expressed satisfaction on the completion and handover of the ward to the hospital.
“One thing we want to assure the public is that we will not rest on our oars.
“We will continue to go to places where we can help the little we can give; we will do it as government cannot do it alone,’’ Okpere said.
NAN reports that refurbished children ward include creating a playpen and Children’s Library to keep children happy and occupied while on hospital admission. (NAN)