Save the Children International (SCI) Nigeria has been receiving commendations from residents of Ikorodu and its environ for yet another humanitarian gesture.
This is another donation of medical equipment including Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) materials worth about N50 million to two general hospitals in Ikorodu and Ijede axis of Lagos State and other primary health centres in Ikorodu area,.
The DEFENDER reports that the latest donation is in addition to many other supports by the SCI to Lagos State government in the same axis, in the past.
According to the SCI Country Director, who was represented by the Deputy Director of Operations, Nwamaka Ifionu, SCI donated the equipment to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare systems at the grass-roots.
She disclosed this at the handing over ceremony which took place in Ikorodu recently.
“The donations would help address the immediate needs of front-line health workers who are providing care and treatment to children affected by pneumonia and all the other childhood diseases.”
She explained further that since pneumonia is one of the highest killer of children under the age of five. “We hope that this donation will be judiciously utilised for the good of humanity, the front line workers as well as help protect the most vulnerable, especially children under the age of five,” Ifionu said.
Speaking to our Correspondent, cross section of residents of the two communities in Ikorodu expressed their happiness and gratitude to SCI and GSK for the very impactful collaboration towards saving humanity. And they keep asking for more of such initiatives in other parts of the state so that other Lagos residents, most especially children under the age of five will also enjoy good health care delivery.
The donated materials were received by the Medical Directors of Ikorodu and Ijede General hospitals and will be shared among the two general hospitals and all the primary health care centres in the area.
Addressing newsmen, the Chief of Party of the INSPIRING Project, Dr Isa Adamu expressed hope that the donated items will be fully utilised.
One of the residents, Mrs. Esther Oriade, said that the initiative to work with primary health care centers in Ikorodu Local Government to reduce the deaths of young children in the communities is indeed a life-saving initiative and a welcome development.
Another beneficiary spoken to was full of praises and adorations for SCI and GSK for coming to their rescue.
“We are so glad and count ourselves very lucky to be staying in Ikorodu. And it’s our prayers that this kind of initiative will be a continuous one.” Mrs. Ramat Olaoye responded.
According to Dr. Adamu, Ikorodu was used as the pilot to study and see whether it would work before it could be replicated in other parts of the state.
“The initiative is to reduce the number of infant and early childhood mortality.
“When we started the journey in 2018, we looked for the area where we could make an impact with the available resources and we decided to go to Ikorodu.”
He called on donors, national and state governments to scale up investment in healthcare systems strengthening such as routine immunisation.
We are always emphasising that prevention information, testing facilities and referral systems should be made available and accessible to the most vulnerable people, including children.
Many of the residents spoken to commended SCI and GlaxoSmithKline, GSK, for the kind gesture which has been aiding diagnosis and treatment of Pneumonia and other childhood diseases.
The donated items include consumables to prevent infections, infection prevention control (IPC) materials, sanitisers, disinfectants, Incubators for premature babies, Infra-Thermometers, Pulse Oxymeters, among others.
Dr. Adamu revealed that the funding for the purchase of the donated items was from GSK, and thanked them for their support over the years and for other support that will still come from them.
Efforts were also made by SCI to link the media working group with other civil societies groups working with SCI for better collaboration.
