The Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Kwara State, Prof Abdullah Yussuf, has inaugurated a N250 million Intensive Care Unit for patients with burns, donated by Salman Shagaya Foundation to the hospital.
Inaugurating the ICU on Thursday, Yussuf, appealed to philanthropists and wealthy Nigerians to partner with the Federal Government in the provision of quality healthcare for Nigerians.
He said, “Because of the continually increasing needs of the hospital and the evident willingness of our well-meaning Nigerians to partner with FGN to ensure the provision of quality healthcare and attainment of University Health Coverage to our populace, on behalf of hospital’s management, I have come cap-in-hand to kindly solicit for more donations in whatever forms to UITH, Ilorin.
“This will enable the hospital with its abundant expertise to improve and expand its quality healthcare provisions continually and further contribute to reducing the tides of the increasing medical tourism overseas.”
He commended the donor of the ICU for adding to the list of those who have assisted the teaching hospital.
Yussuf also commended Kwara state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for his contribution to the development of healthcare in the state through the upgrading of the state general hospital to the State Teaching Hospital, which he said would reduce the burden of the UITH and also address the challenge of shortage of trained manpower and inadequate health care facilities.
The CMD, however, appealed to the state government as well as well-meaning individuals to come to the rescue of the health institution in infrastructure development such as roads, transportation, and upgrading of electricity facilities
“We sincerely hope and pray that the governor HE AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq will also extend his wonderful gestures to UITH and come to the rescue of the hospital in the provision of some needed amenities, eg asphalt layering of our internal road networks, completion of our dedicated powerline, new power transformers, commuter buses, tax relief or holiday, etc. These we believe will go a long way at providing succor to the teaming populace seeking tertiary healthcare both within and outside the state.” In his speech, the donor of the facility, the Chairman of the Foundation, Alhaji Sheriff Shagaya, said the project was inspired by the pains he suffered when he lost his grandmother, a loss he still carries to date.
Shagaya, whose address was delivered by his wife, Dr Mariam Shagaya, at the event, stressed that the loss,” is inseparable from the hope that we can save others from a similar fate. It was this personal experience that inspired me to spearhead this project, a project that would have filled my grandmother with pride had she been here today.”
He said that the commissioning of the complex was named after his paternal grandmother, “Batuli Ajiferuke Shagaya Burn Intensive Care Unit (BAS-BICU); Shagaya said that the facility would cater to the health needs of the people.
“This state-of-the-art burn center facility is one of its kind in the whole North Central region of Nigeria and it is to serve the much-needed health care needs of Nigerians and beyond and to enhance productivity across the country.
“The Intensive Care Unit (BAS-BICU) unit in UITH Ilorin marks a significant milestone in the healthcare sector, particularly in the management of acute burns. The new Intensive Care Unit aimed to meet the objective of limiting the systemic insult that accompanies burn injuries. It also aimed at providing a higher level of specialized care to patients suffering from burns. It will also play a crucial role in preventing infections related to invasive procedures and improving the overall care and treatment of burn patients.”
Shagaya also said that “the BAS-BICU, will serve as a beacon of hope for those who have been afflicted with severe burns, offering a higher level of care that will not only improve treatment outcomes but also help prevent devastating infections and improve the overall quality of life for those who require such specialized care.”
He further said that the BAS-BICU, “is more than just a burn unit; it is a monument to resilience, a symbol of our determination to overcome adversity and transform our experiences into opportunities for growth and healing. “This project is not just a token of our love for philanthropy, but a reflection of our recognition that we all have a part to play in strengthening our society. Healthcare is a basic human right, yet it is far from being equally accessible to all. The onus is on us, as responsible citizens, to bridge this gap and provide quality healthcare to those who need it most. While our government is doing its best, it cannot shoulder this responsibility alone. It is our duty as fellow human beings to lend a helping hand”, he said
Shagaya also said, “These state-of-the-art facilities are not for show; they are here to serve the needs of our community, to save lives, and to promote healing and recovery. The equipment you see before you will serve as tools in the hands of skilled professionals, transforming the treatment of burn patients in the country.”
Dignitaries at the event included the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, who was represented by the Mogaji Are of Ilorin, Alhaji Aremu Zubair; Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Wahab Egbewole, founder of Al-Hikmah University, Alhaji Raheem Oladimeji, a member of the House of Representatives, Hon Tolani Shagaya, and a host of others.
SOURCE: PUNCH NEWS
