EKITI UTH'S HAEMO- DIALYSIS CENTER BEGINS OPERATION

By Lere Olayinka

The Ekiti State Governor, Engr Segun Oni has commissioned a multi Million naira haemo-dialysis centre established by the MTN Foundation in the University Teaching Hospital (UTH), Ado-Ekiti, with an appeal to other corporate organisations to emulate the communications giant by supporting humanity through corporate social investment programmes in the State.

The newly commissioned dialysis centre is equipped with two Fresenius haemodialysis machines, two electronically powered dialysis chair, water treatment unit and pre-treatment unit, borehole water facility, two back-up power (3KVA UPS) for dialysis machine, 2.2 KVA UPS for water treatment unit, 1.5KVA UPS for water pre-treatment unit, 27KVA generator and four air conditioners.

Speaking at the ceremony in Ado-Ekiti, Governor Oni, who described the project as the most significant investment by a corporate organisation in the state, said the dialysis centre would go a long way in complementing efforts of his administration in providing world-class health care for residents of the state.

He recalled that his administration has since assumption of office transformed the health sector in the State from its poor status through its interventionist programmes and implementation of a well developed blue print.

According to Oni, the State Government had in the last three years established a teaching hospital, a college of medicine, Ophthalmology Centre, 115 Blue Hospitals and other structures while facilities in eight general hospitals and other comprehensive health centres have been upgraded.

“Although, when we assumed office, the health sector was particularly articulated in our development blue print, what was on ground actually required a matching attention. This reality informed the several interventionist approach of this government and thus its health intervention strategies and programmes. We have pursued these through the establishment of institutions, structures and rehabilitation programmes at the different levels of care and across the various wards and constituencies in the state.

“In 2008, i.e a year into the life of this government, we ensured the take-off of the University Teaching Hospital. We had since followed-up with the establishment of a College of Medicine in the University of Ado-Ekiti. The first set of medical students in the College has been admitted.

“Similarly, this government entered into a service agreement with Messrs Servicio Medicos Cubanos of the Republic of Cuba in establishing an ophthalmological centre for this state. This eye centre effectively took-off in January this year.

“The Ekiti State Eye Centre, which is the first in this part of the world, is justifying its existence to the satisfaction of our people.

Indeed, within a period of about eight months, the centre has attracted patronage across Nigeria and indeed across the West African sub-region.

“Further to these efforts, Government has ensured the upgrading and rehabilitation of primary and secondary health facilities to make sure that our people have access to quality health care wherever they live in establishing the University Teaching Hospital, Government decided to up-grade the then Ado-Ekiti General Hospital which occupies the premises in which this programme is taking place. I am happy to inform you that construction work is at appreciable level at the new site of the Oba Adejugbe General Hospital, here in Ado-Ekiti,” the governor said.

Commending MTN Foundation for choosing the UTH, Ado-Ekiti as one of the beneficiaries of the 12 Haemodialysis Centres being established in hospitals in the country for the support of people living with kidney disease.

He called on other corporate organisations, especially GSM operators to emulate the MTN by giving back to the society where they operate, saying; “MTN has shown greater commitment to using part of its resources to uplift the society and I commend the organisation. Other corporate organisations, especially GSM operators should also emulate MTN by giving back to the State.”

Also speaking at the ceremony, Director of the MTN Foundation, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi said the foundation decided to establish the dialysis centre owing to its concern for the kidney pataients.

His words; “In the last decade, there has been a steady rise in the incidence of chronic kidney disease globally and in our country Nigeria. As far back as 2002, the World Health Report and Global Burden of Disease project had established that diseases of the kidney and urinary tract contribute to the global burden of diseases with approximately 850,000 deaths every year. Experts in Nigeria roughly estimate that the kidney disease afflicts about 45,000 Nigerians, with new cases estimated at between 14,000 and 15,000 every year.

“In the last couple of years, the MTN Foundation has received numerous letters from many citizens who are suffering from this health condition, soliciting financial assistance, especially with regard to regular haemodialysis, without which sufferers will lose the battle of life. Moved by this situation, we decided to intervene in our own unique way through the Medical Support Project.”

He disclosed that apart from equipping the centre with state-of-the-art facilities, the MTN Foundation would also provide consumables needed at the centre for the next 12 months.


Ekiti State Governor, Engr. Segun Oni, receiving a gift from the Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Ms Nonny Ugboma while Director of the MTN Foundation, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi and Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olatunji Odeyemi watch with interest

The Dialysis equipment on display

Managing Director, ADCEM Pharmaceuticals, Mr. Adeyemi Adewole, explaining the workings of equipment in the hospital's newly commissioned multi million naira Haemo-Dialysis Center to the State Governor, Engr. Segun Oni, Director of the MTN Foundation, donor of the dialysis center, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, MTN director, Mr.
Gbenga Oyebode, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon.
Olatunji Odeyemi and the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe after the center was commissioned by the governor ...today

Ekiti State Governor, Engr. Segun Oni, commissioning the multi million naira Haemo-Dialysis Center donated to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH), Ado-Ekiti by the MTN Foundation. He is flanked (right) by the Alaaye of Efon, Oba Emmanuel Aladejare, Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe and Commissioner for Health, Dr. Femi Thomas and (left) by , Director of the MTN Foundation, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi and MTN director, Mr. Gbenga Oyebode.