Zulum commends Save The Children for donating N52m worth of equipment to UMTH

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum has commended Save The Children International Nigeria for supporting University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) with a new Neo-Natal Machine worth N52 million for the control and reduction of infant mortality rate in the state.

Governor Zulum also applauded the organization’s initiative and rapid action towards selecting medical doctors and nurses for two weeks technical, comprehensive and intensive training on the use and operation of the machine.

He appealed for similar support to be extended to the state government health facilities the State Specialist Hospital, Umaru Shehu Ultra Modern Hospital and Mamman Shuwa General Hospital Maiduguri.

The governor stated this weekend at the closing ceremony of a 2-weeks course training programme on the technicalities involved in the use and operations of the Neo-Natal Machine held at the Pinnnacle Luxury & Hotel Banquet Hall Maiduguri.

Represented by the Borno State Commissioner of Health and Human Services, Professor Babagana Malum, he added that so far, with the efforts of the governor, about 1,547 medical doctors, Nurses and midwives have been recruited to bridge the manpower gap and to improve healtlhcare facilities constructed and upgraded across the state.

The Commissioner who was also represented by the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Borno State Hospital Management Board (BSHMB), Professor Abubakar Gullima noted that the training and support were timely as they came at the time that Maiduguri city is confronted with influx of IDPs.

He also assured the organization of the government’s continuous cordial working relationship in abod to improve on capacity building and health facilities of the state towards meeting the global standard set by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

He urged the participants to make proper and effective use of the training to operate the machine properly and assist government’s efforts in reducing child mortality.

The Executive Director, Save the Children, Chachu Tadicha in his welcome address said the aim of the training is to ensure that the children especially the infants are supported.

“We do this in collaboration with the government to in order to reduce infant mortality and morbidity. “

“The participants are medical doctors and nurses. So far, we have trained 48 health officials. And we would like to work together with both Federal Ministry of Health and the State Ministry of Health and plan to reach more hospitals to train more participants and therefore reach more children,” Chachu said.

The Chief Medical Director (CMD), University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), Professor Ahmed Ahidjo thanked the donor for its support and assistance to the hospital while appreciating also the training programme organized for the staff of the hospital and other health facilities.

Represented by the. Director Administration, UMTH, Malam Idris Umar also assured proper usage and maintenance of the Neo-Natal Machine that the organization supported the hospital with and pledged to continue to work in synergy with Save the Children’s International Nigeria.