The first lady, Hajiya Aisha Buhari has led a delegation of business tycoons and other well meaning Nigerians to raise N15bn for 200 bed capacity Navy Officer’s Wives Association (NOWA) women and green smart hospital in Abuja.
The first lady who was represented by the Former President, Nigerian Army Officers Wife Association (NOAWA) Hajia Hadiza Dambazzau said the legacy will outlive the team driving it.
According to Mrs Buhari, UNICEF revelations and records have made it imperative that the hospital is timely as it will use technology to reach out to needed communities communities.
She said the addition of telemedicine was a laudable initiative that deserves support noting that the benefits are numerous and will outlive generations.
She therefore called on government and non governmental organizations to support both financially and with equipment to ensure the actualization of the project.
Earlier,the National President of NOWA Hajiya Nana Aisha Gambo said there are no hospitals enough to Carter for the needs of over 200 million population.
She quoted the recent report by the United Nation Children’s Fund which revealed that approximately 40 million Nigerian women of child bearing age suffer a high level of health issues during childbirth.
She said, “Although, Nigeria represents 2.4 per cent of world population, it
contributes 10 per cent to global deaths for pregnant mothers, representing a maternal mortality rate of 576 deaths per 100,000 live births, which is the fourth highest rate in the world.
“The report equally reveals that about 262,000 babies die at birth in Nigeria annually, being the second highest figure in the world. Currently, infant mortality stands at 69 deaths per 1,000 live births and rises to 128 deaths per 1,000 live births for children under the age of 5. These statistics illustrate health conditions amongst women and children in Nigeria.
“Ladies and gentlemen, gleaning from the UNICEF statistics enumerated, it becomes clear that medical requirements of women and children are inadequate. This is not far-fetched considering that, medical institutions and facilities are inadequate to address medical challenges of over 200 million Nigerians.
“As of today, it is estimated that Nigeria has about 33,000 general hospitals, 59 teaching hospitals and federal medical centers as well as about 20,200 primary health centers, while mother and child hospitals are less than 10.
“This is insignificant when compared to millions of women and children who desire quality medical attention to address various health challenges. It is obvious that the government is making efforts, which are appreciated, however, these efforts require additional collaboration and partnership to meet the expected threshold.
“The Naval Officers’ Wives Association is a non-Governmental Organization established about 57 years ago, precisely on 30 November 1965, to promote love and harmony among wives of naval officers and their families.
“The organization has metamorphosed over the years from a small tea-group to an internationally recognized humanitarian organization.
“Presently, the Naval Officers’ Wives Association contributes to socio-economic life and well-being of Nigerians by providing quality education, vocational training, charitable activities and economic empowerment programmes for women, orphans and youths among others.
“In addition to these charitable activities, NOWA has been supporting women and children via sponsorship for medical treatments, settling medical bills of women and children. Regrettably, these efforts are yet to yield the required positive impact when compared with recent United Nations Children’s Fund statistics on global women and children’s mortality rate”
Continuing she said, “The Naval Officers’ Wives Association is a non-Governmental Organization established about 57 years ago, precisely on 30 November 1965, to promote love and harmony among wives of naval officers and their families. The organization has metamorphosed over the years from a small tea-group to an internationally recognized humanitarian organization. Presently, the Naval Officers’ Wives Association contributes to socio-economic life and well-being of Nigerians by providing quality education, vocational training, charitable activities and economic empowerment programmes for women, orphans and youths among others.
“In addition to these charitable activities, NOWA has been supporting women and children via sponsorship for medical treatments, settling medical bills of women and children. Regrettably, these efforts are yet to yield the required positive impact when compared with recent United Nations Children’s Fund statistics on global women and children’s mortality rate.
“This is insignificant when compared to millions of women and children who desire quality medical attention to address various health challenges. It is obvious that the government is making efforts, which are appreciated, however, these efforts require additional collaboration and partnership to meet the expected threshold.
“According to our Special Guest of Honour ( First Lady) in one of the commissioning events, she said and I quote “the importance of partnership in delivering health care for Lagosians will help government in no small measure, with the influx into the state being on the increase daily” unquote.
“This partnership in delivering healthcare has become necessary because the FCT is equally facing huge influx of people on daily basis and without doubt, its limited medical facilities are already being over stretched. Accordingly, today, NOWA is complying with the vision of our Special Guest of Honour towards supporting the government to provide adequate medical care for women and children of our dear nation.”
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