Championing Meaningful CSR Projects for LUTH

Chiemelie Ezeobi reports that to deepen access to quality and affordable healthcare in Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria recently renovated and remodelled
the entire 111-bed capacity Ward A of the Medical Wing of Lagos University Teaching Hospital

Getting quality care at hospitals often goes beyond treatment. Most times, the ambience and adequate facilities help speed the healing process. Having fully grasped the psychology behind this, Airtel Nigeria Ltd. recently inaugurated Block A Medical Ward, which they had renovated and remodelled for the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos.

Valued at over N200million, stakeholders at the inauguration commended the telecommunications services provider for its consistent investment in the health sector, but particularly for transforming and modernising the building into a state-of-the art medical facility and equipping the ward with cutting-edge connectivity technologies.

At the inauguration were Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire; LUTH Chief Medical Director, Prof Chris Bode; Chairman, LUTH Management Board, Alhaji Isa Bello Sali; MD/CEO Airtel, Chemmenkotil Surendran; Director i/c Teaching Hospitals FMOH,
Dr. Andrew Noah; LUTH Director of Administration, Dr. Babajide Grillo, MDS of other Federal Tertiary Institutions, directors, CMAC, DCMACS, HODS, union leaders, and other stakeholders.

Boost for LUTH

In his address, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire said the addition was a boost to the hospital that was established in the 60’s, adding that the hospital has been enjoying steady development since then, driven in recent times by the initiative of the CMD.

He said: “It is my pleasure to address this gathering on the occasion of the commissioning of block A, renovated and remodelled by Airtel Nigeria Ltd. I congratulate the management and staff of Lagos University Teaching Hospital on the addition of yet another edifice to the assets of this hospital, an early generation hospital established in 1962.

“The project tallies with President Buhari’s Next Level modernisation agenda for teaching hospitals to improve quality of care for Nigerians. Since beginning of this administration, much investment has gone into our tertiary level centers, including LUTH, directly or in partnership.

“But I shall, at this point, extend the appreciation of government to Airtel Nigeria for this excellent project, which, I am sure further increases the capacity of LUTH to deliver on its performance objectives.

” I am happy to note that Airtel Nigeria walked each step of the COVID-19 journey partnering LUTH: a partnership which also saw the company donate 81 telephone lines to the hospital’s Psychosocial and Emotional Support Group, which reached out to provide psychosocial support to patients and their families following COVID-19 diagnosis, and reached over 20,000 patients in the Lagos metropolis, with Airtime provided for three months in each phone line.

“In no country can government alone fund healthcare and it is in that regard that we must urge more private sector investment in the Nigerian healthcare sector. With such investment and the skilled and dedicated manpower, the sky is the limit on our quest to improve the quality of care in Nigeria.

“As endowed as LUTH presently seems, there is room for value addition as Corporate Social Responsibility or investments that upgrade existing facilities, bridge infrastructure gaps and introduce cutting-edge equipment and technology. I invite national and multinationals investirs to examine the opportunities in Nigerian healthcare to find areas that promise handsome returns.

“I call on the management and staff of the hospital to put this ward to good use and keep it well maintained to justify the generosity of Airtel to LUTH and once again thank the donor for this laudable project. It is my honour and privilege to commission this new medical ward, on behalf of the President of the Republic to the service of Nigerians and glory of God.”

Message of Gratitude
For LUTH Chief Medical Director, Prof Chris Bode, the occasion afforded him the opportunity to express gratitude mixed with hope. He said: ”
My message today is that of gratitude, riding on the wings of hope. Gratitude for everyone who made this possible, hope that this will not be a one-off event, but rather a harbinger of good things to come in the country’s healthcare space.

“Since the bronze plaque was unveiled 59 years ago at the inception of this 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 Isolation Centre 18 months ago. In fact, LUTH admitted and treated over 1000 COVID patients, many with several life-threatening co-morbidities.”

Commending Airtel Nigeria for walking every step of the COVID-19 journey in partnership with LUTH, he said 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 Lagos, adding that they also provided airtime for three months on each of those phone lines.

He said: “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 operationalise 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. The Airtel Team assigned to us, headed by Mr Emeka Opara did a fantastic job. If five multinationals in Nigeria would do what your company has done for us yearly, life will be paradise on earth.

“I thank the LUTH Board that gave all the backing for this project, the Management Team that saw it through, the Engineering Department and our CMAC, DCMACS, Head of Nursing and all who contributed to this work.

“Government alone cannot fund the healthcare sector. I hope others shall join this trend pioneered by the likes of Airtel Nigeria. Airtel has won the right to boldly brand Block A in color Red. We look forward to seeing colors such as Yellow, Green, other hues and shades splashed on our buildings soon!. The lives saved here by this noble deed may be our own. I thank Airtel Nigeria for this great deed and hope it will be the harbinger of good things to come.”

A Promise Kept

Stressing at the inauguration that it was a promise kept, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Airtel Nigeria, Chemmenkotil Surendran, noted that the telecommunication’s firm is committed to transforming lives and fulfilling its promises.

He also added that the facility will further smoothen the delivery of healthcare services in Nigeria and help foster healthcare inclusion especially for those who can’t afford healthcare.

He said, “For us at Airtel, today also holds special significance because we have kept to our word and promise. Some months ago, we approached the Chief Medical Director of LUTH, Professor Chris Bode, to make known our intention to partner LUTH in delivering quality and affordable healthcare to Nigerians, especially the vulnerable, hard to reach and underprivileged

“Today, I am glad to share that we have fully redeemed our pledge. At Airtel, we keep our words and promises. We believe that we are a major stakeholder in Nigeria and we have a duty and responsibility to impact the various communities we serve positively.”

New Dimension of CSR

According to the CMD, this bold move is a new dimension in CSR among multinational organisations and a boost to public health institutions in Nigeria. It is worthy of emulation now we are seeing a deepening of this trend in our space.

” Last month, the Lions Club District 404 A1 donated the Lion Isaac Olusola Dada Dialysis Centre and Renal Institute to LUTH. Built at a cost
of over N300m, it will house 32 dialysis machines and a renal research centre.

“Other similar projects in the hospital are challenging multinationals to invest in areas that can meaningfully impact the lives of ordinary Nigerians as very few citizens can fly overseas at great expense,” he charged.