Foundation donates emergency medical items to National Hospital

On Nov 30, 2024

First Call Aid Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation, on Friday, donated emergency medical, surgical and dialysis kits to the National Hospital, Abuja.

Making the donation, the Chairperson, Mrs Khadija Fashina, said that the essential items were being provided to meet the needs of patients on emergency who might not be able to afford them.

According to her, donation of such kits symbolises the foundation’s mission to provide a light of hope during life-threatening emergencies.

“They represent our unwavering commitment to compassion and support for those facing financial constraints.

“We envision a future where emergency services are accessible and free for everyone in the Federal Capital Territory and across Nigeria.

“Achieving this goal will require collaboration with stakeholders, hospitals and the public, built on the foundation of trust and integrity.

“Together, I believe we can create the change that we so desperately need in this sector,” Fashina said.

The Director of Clinical Services, Dr Abba Badamasi, while receiving the kits on behalf of the hospital, said it was a good gesture which resonated strongly within the healthcare sector.

According to Badamasi, it gladdens the hearts of medical practitioners to see people who are interested in the welfare of patients, especially those who cannot afford hospital bills.

“National Hospital will take this and make sure we use it judiciously for the patients that they are aimed at.

“I would also tell you to please be friends with National Hospital because it is a giant hospital whose budget can only take care of 10 per cent of the need of its needs.”

Badamasi said that about 70 per cent of the patients in the hospital’s Trauma Center could not afford post-operation care as many of them were victims of “hit and run.”

The director said that, because they were mostly “unknown”, it was the hospital’s duty to take care of them.

He said that there was a long list of patients waiting for dialysis, but the machines were limited, so the patients had to be attended to on a “first come, first served basis.”

“However, with this donation, definitely, we can be sure that many of the patients now have shorter waiting time, and they will smile and pray for you.”

Dr Muyi Aina, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), said that the role of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in providing life-saving emergency services cannot be understated.

Represented by Dr Abubakar Sanda, the Director, Community Service, Aina said that the NGOs bridge gaps in health care, disaster relief and humanitarian aid, and offer hope and support to those who need it most.

“While our health sector faces significant challenges, the relentless commitment to improving lives continues to make a profound difference across the country, contributing to the government’s Nigerian Health Sector Renewal Programme.

“We know the goal of that is to save lives, reduce both physical and financial pain, and produce health for all Nigerians.”

He called for a collective effort by all to bring all resources to the table to reach those in need.

The First 4-H Charitable Foundation was established in 2018, born out of a profound need to provide support for emergency situations in hospitals.

Items donated by the organisation to the dialysis unit include blood tubings , dialysers, bicarbonate salt, acid, fistula needles, heparin gauze roll and gloves, while 30 boxes of emergency kits were given to the trauma centre.

NAN/Wumi