By SouthernVoicenews,
MEMBERS of the Urhobo Progressive Union, UPU, California, United States of America USA, Wednesday, donated equipments worth over five million naira (N5m) to the Sapele Central Hospital.
The equipments donated to Sapele Central Hospital includes; Baby Cot-Cribs, Bedside Tables, Weighing Scales, Wheel Chairs, Drip Stands, Cupboard-Bedside Lockers, Mosquito Nets, Bedsheets.
Others are; Blood Pressure Instruments, Stethoscopes and Sonicaid Fetal Dopplers which were purchased from proceeds from fund raising embarked upon by Urhobo Progressive Union, UPU, North Califonia and its members.
representative of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health Dr. James Egwuterai and Hon. Maver Avworo look on
In a speech by the President of the Union, Dr. (Mrs.) Enojare Uadiale, Nee Uvwo, said the chapter of the Urhobo Progressive Union, UPU North America has been in existence since 2002 with 42 members that cut across age groups and Urhobos from all walks of life.
Dr. Uadiale who was represented by Engr. Friday Egboreshare, said the decision to donate to a hospital came out of their desire to make positive impact to the welfare of their people in Urhobo land, since it is their believe that government alone cannot do it, hence, UPU California is donating these items periodically as a way of supporting the government.
She said the choice of Sapele Central Hospital to benefit from their humanitarian services became necessary, because in 2012, they donated hospital equipments worth over N5m to Mariere Hospital in Ughelli, adding that same year, they also donated computer and laboratory equipments worth over N5m to the Delta State University, Abraka.
Speaking further she said, “As a social civic organization, we believe in embarking in charitable activities that will help alleviate the challenges of the Urhobo people both in the United States and here in Nigeria. We are focusing our efforts in the health sector because life expectancy for most Nigerians ranks amongst the 5 lowest in the world currently.
“In the Unites States, our Chapter has been making significant efforts in improving the lives of the less privileged, hence last year we donated $5,000 to St. Jude’s Children Hospital, an organization that treats children with cancer.
“The chapter also made donations of about $5,000 to the Food Bank in San Jaoquin County of California at the peak of the Coronavirus pandemic and we are happy that today we officially donating equipments worth over N5m to the Sapele Central Hospital.
“Consequently, we wanted this project to benefit other parts of Urhobo land. I want to thank my predecessor Mr. Godwin Okoro and the Sapele project committee chaired by Mr. John Uwhuba for the great work done.
“It is our hope and belief that these equipment and supplies will be utilized to improve the well-being of the patients at the Sapele Central Hospital in the most judicious manner.’
Earlier, the Zonal Medical Director of Sapele Central Hospital, Dr Ese Ijomone thanked UPU Califonia for the gesture, saying the hospital has already started using the equipment before the official presentation because of the urgent need of the items by the hospital.
Ijomone said the maternal ward is crowded because of the free maternal service by the state government, pointing out that over 1000 patients are attended to by the hospital monthly, over 200 delivery a month and over 60 seceran operation monthly .
The Special Guest of Honor, the Permanent secretary of the ministry of Health Dr Fumilayo Omoraka represented by a Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr James Egwuterai said the state government appreciate the donation by the UPU Northern California to the Sapele Central Hospital.
She disclosed that the Sapele Central Hospital serves 4 hospitals in the zone and the donations would go a long way to improve service delivery to the people of the area and appealed for more as according to her, government alone cannot take care of the needs of the people.
The President of the Urhobo Awareness Youth Association, Hon. Maver Avworo has also commended the President of Urhobo Progressive Union, UPU, Califonia chapter for their benevolent nature and sacrifices to ensure that the less privilege are care for, appealing to other sister union to emulate their kind gesture in supporting the government at all levels.