By Iyakale Yakubu
Jos (Nigeria) — Rotary Club of Jos Central, District 9125, has donated medical supplies and food items to some health centres and orphanage in Plateau, NorthCentral nigeria.
The supplies includes two bags of fish feed, 2000 birthing kits, 20 Long Lasting Treated Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) and 480 packets of malaria drugs amongst others.
The donations were made to an orphanage, Plateau Specialist Hospital, Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Primary Healthcare Centres in Shendam, Pankshin, Jos North and Jos South local government areas.
Mrs Laide Lawal, the President of the Club said, the gesture was part of the humanitarian activities of Rotary Club, “They are meant to alleviate the sufferings of the people thereby complementing government efforts,”
She said that the club noted that maternal mortality in Nigeria was high due to inadequate supply of medical supplies and financial challenges of pregnant women, stressing that the birthing kits donated to the health centres should be given to pregnant women free of charge.
According to her, the process should also be transparent, so that those in dire need are attended to.
Former President of Distric 9125, Tolu Omoshola, while donating LLINs to City Ministries orphanage, Gyero Village in Jos South local government area, promised that the Club would continue to assist them in taking care of the orphanage.
Omoshola commended the orphanage for operating a fish pond business to enable them take care of their needs, saying the fish feed donated was to help boost the growth and sales of the fish.
AFRICA PRIME NEWS reports that Chief Medical Director of Plateau Specialist Hospital, Dr Filimon Golwa, commended the organisation for the kind gesture.
He regretted that Nigeria is ranked among countries with the highest maternal mortality in the world.
Mr Musa Rawaya, the Head of the Boys Unit of City Ministries Orphanage, said the home has 109 orphans. “The unit is expecting six more soon. Girls who are the most vulnerable of the children are mostly admitted without formal arrangements,’’ he explained.