*Life will be paradise on earth if five Multinationals can do what Airtel has done for u – Prof Chris Bode
WorldStage Newsonline– Minister of Health Dr Osagie Ehanire on Saturday commissioned medical wards renovated by Airtel Nigeria at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
Commending the efforts of the telecoms giant with the project valued at over N200 million, the minister said it will help the hospital to better perform its duties to the public.
“I appreciate the support of Airtel in supporting LUTH to deliver on the performance of its duties to the community,” he said.
He added that there were still rooms for value additions through various CSR initiatives, calling on other multinationals to look at areas where they can support healthcare delivery in the country.
Speaking on the project, the Chief Medical Director, LUTH, Prof Chris Bode commended the involvement of the Group Chief Executive of Airtel Africa, Mr Olusegun Ogunsanya in making it a reality.
According to him, “since the bronze plaque was unveiled 59 years ago at the inception of the institution, our facilities have been in use every day without respite.
“In recent years, all our wards became run down and we had barely rehabilitated Block B two years ago when we had to surrender it for use as COVID-19 isolation center 18 months ago. In fact, LUTH admitted and treated over 1000 COVID-19 patients, many with several life-threatening co-morbidities.
“Airtel Nigeria had walked every step of the COVID-19 journey in partnership with LUTH. The company gave 81 telephone lines to LUTH’s Psychosocial and Emotional Support Group which reached out to patients and their families following diagnosis and in the course treating over 20,000 patients in the megacity of Lagos. Airtel also provided Airtime for 3 months on each of these phone lines when we needed them most.
“At the height of the first wave of the pandemic outbreak in Lagos about May-June 2020, the fear of a possible upsurge requiring more bed-space for admissions was real. Messrs Airtel Nigeria rose to the occasion, offering to help LUTH rehabilitate Block A to operationalize another 111- bed capacity at a cost of over N200 million. Messrs Airtel Nigeria stripped the building from rooftop to floor-base and replaced it, plumbing and all.
“Our unreserved gratitude goes to Airtel Nigeria for this far-sighted good deed. Mr Segun Ogunsanya, who headed Airtel Nigeria then and who is now heading Airtel Africa Plc was resolutely committed to this project and spared no expense to see it through; we owe him a debt of gratefulness.
“If five Multinationals in Nigeria would do what your company has done for us yearly, life will be paradise on earth.”
On his part, Mr Olusegun Ogunsanya who joined virtually said that the company was committed to transforming lives. He explained that members of his immediate family were infected by COVID-19 that ravaged lives across the globe.
The Chairman, LUTH Management Board, Alhaji Isa Bello Sali, also encouraged other organisations to emulate Airtel, adding that government alone cannot fund the healthcare sector.
