By Bakah Derick in Nkwen
The Nkwen Cultural and Development Association (NCDA), United Kingdom chapter, has donated hospital items to the Nkwen Rural Integrated Health Center. The items were handed on Friday 13 October 2023.
Speaking on behalf of the donor association during the handing over event at the Nkwen Rural Integrated Health Center, Muma Azehfor III, disclosed that the items were made up of beds, matrasses and baby cots. He further detailed that during the need assessment visit to the rural health center, the challenge presented was that of baby cots but NCDA UK decided to do more
“It is hoped that these items will improve the quality of care delivered to this community. The items being handed included 13 adults hospital beds, 16 adults hospital bed matrasses, 10 bed side cabinets, ten baby cots, ten baby cot matrasses” Muma read in a speech by Madam Claudine Ngwa, President of NCDA UK. The speech further revealed that the items were donated by 25 Nkwen sons and daughters in the UK who thought about giving back to the community.
Created in 2022, this is the first project executed by NCDA UK. The President has expressed gratitude to the project committee of the association for the diligence in the execution of this project. She expresses the hope that other projects will be realized in the nearest future.
Present to receive the items were the District Medical Officer (DMO) Dr. Chris Abongwa, the representative of the Fon of Nkwen, Ndi Azehfor III and a cross section of the population.
“Without donations like this, I think we will still be far back as far as healthcare is concerned. We most of the things in our health facilities that are being donated… health is co-management and co-financing, so the community does one part and the government does the other. We encourage that people should come out and donate… all the items donated high are relevant and we accept them whole heartedly, we thank the donors and we actually wish to appreciate them from the bottom of our hearts.” Dr. Chris Abongwa said
Corroborating the DMO, the Chief of Center Fru Asanga Immaculate expressed gratitude to the donors.
“When I came, the babies were lying on the bed with their mothers. The women were crying but now many women will in now for delivery. I am happy and the community is happy. Taking care of women in the hospital I am happy that I have people behind me... I promised that I will do my best for more admissions, more deliveries because I have created four outreach programs and I will go for more to publicize what has happened today.” Fru Asanga said promising to take proper care of the items.
The health officials have appealed for more support especially in the area of buildings which they say will allow for authorities to also make use of the hospital.
While continuing his request for the upgrading of the Nkwen Rural Integrated Health Center, Ndi Azehfor III representing the Fon of Nkwen indicated that, Nkwen has become the host of the largest number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) as a result of the over six years old armed conflict hence the need for a resident Medical Doctor and upgrading of the facility to the full hospital. He assured the government of his community’s commitment to support the government citing several other projects like water and sterilizer donation to the facility by Nkwen sons and daughters.