THE Federal Government has commended the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG for renovating and equipping Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) and the Special Care Baby Unit at Federal Medical Center, Asaba, Delta.
The Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Services, Dr Iziaq Salako, who gave the commendation while inaugurating the facility at the FMC, Asaba, urged other organisations to emulate NLNG and give support to hospitals in the country.
The minister, represented by Dr Jimoh Salaudeen, Director of Hospital Services in the ministry, described the facility as another milestone in the quest to provide quality healthcare services in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
Salako noted that the support of the NLNG by donating a state of the art magnificent neonatal wards and intensive care unit was key to achieving reduction in infant mortality.
“I am pleased to be here today on behalf of the minister of state for health to witness this epoch making event that makes another milestone in our quest to provide quality service delivery in line with the Renew Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
” On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Health, I want to thank the leadership of NLNG most sincerely for channeling their corporate social responsibility in the most appropriate manner.
“This is the kind of support that the population will benefit from. It is known that the return on investment in any health-related project is usually more than 100 per cent unlike in other infrastructure projects.
“This one that NLNG has done today, that provides care to the children who are for the future of the nation. It is an investment for the future of the country,” Salako said.
The minister while appreciating the NLNG for the gesture, said, “I want to use this opportunity to call on other partners and corporate organizations to emulate the NLNG.
” They are to emulate what the NLNG has done and support the health sector to improve on our health care infrastructure for quality service delivery to our citizens.”
On his part, the sponsor of the project, the Managing Director, NLNG, Dr Philip Mshelbila, represented by Dr Sophia Horsfall, General Manger, External Relations of the company, said it was a privilege for the milestone accomplishment at the FMC, Asaba.
He noted that the renovation and equipping of the neonatal facility was part of NLNG’s hospital support and sustainable development programmes.
“Today’s commissioning of the upgraded facilities affirms the transformative impact of the NLNG sponsored hospital support programme. It marks a decisive step forward in our commitment towards steering a healthcare system that works.
” With this enhancement, FMC, Asaba is now better positioned to deliver care with improved tools, quicker response time, and better outcomes for our youngest and most fragile patients.
“The hospital support programme was NLNG’s strategic response to the urgent need for stronger upgrade of medical facilities for quality service delivery during the COVID-19 crisis,” Mshelbila said.
The NLNG boss, said nine hospitals had already been transformed in the country including hospitals in Yenagoa, Uyo, Abuja, Kano with upgrades in obstetrics, neonatal ICU’s, occupational therapy and neuron modulation rehab centre.
“Today, FMC, Asaba joins that list. A walk through these renovated wards shows a clear transformation, upgraded neonatal and intensive care units, recovery rooms, specialised care and prep spaces, a nurses station, a waiting lounge, automated doors, and more.
” Everything is designed for better care, faster response, and safer outcomes. This investment could not be more timely,” Mshelbila said.
“The Board Chairman, FMC, Asaba, Dr Idele Alile, lauded NLNG for the gesture and for investing in the health sector, particularly, the FMC, Asaba.
He said that FMC, Asaba was one of the foremost hospitals and grwalty impact lives in the state and as academic environment for training doctors.
On his part, the Chief Medical Director, FMC, Asaba, Dr Victor Osiatuma, who gave an insight on the donated facility, thanked NLNG for selecting the hospital to benefit from the project.
He.said that upgrade offaxilitiea at the center has placed it in position and earn approval to train doctors as a teaching hospital.
According to Osiatuma, the NLNG election process for benefiting hospitals was transparent.
” NLNG renovated and equipped the ward with oxygen pipes to ensure quick delivery of oxygen to every baby in the ward even in incubators.
“Also, the facility is designed for a 60 KVA inverter system, cameras to monitor the babies, X-ray units among others to ensure service delivery and sustainabilitynan
