A philanthropist, Alh. Sheriff Shagaya, has donated an ultra modern Burn Intensive Care Unit (BICU) to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) in Ilorin, Kwara State.
At the commissioning of the facility christened ‘Batuli Ajiferuke Shagaya Burn Intensive Care Unit (BAS-BICU)’, the donor said that, though, healthcare is a basic human right, but it is far from being equally accessible to all.
Shagaya called on Nigerians to bridge the gap in healthcare provisions and provide quality healthcare to those who need it most since the government cannot shoulder the responsibility alone.
“This project is not just a token of our love for philanthropy, but a reflection of our recognition that we all have a part to play in strengthening our society.
“Healthcare is a basic human right, yet it is far from being equally accessible to all. The onus is on us, as responsible citizens, to bridge
this gap and provide quality healthcare to those who need it most. While our government is doing its best, they cannot shoulder this responsibility alone. It is our duty as fellow human beings to lend a helping hand,” he said.
The donor, who said that he lost his grandmother, late Batuli Ajiferuke Shagaya, to burns, added that her death inspired him to spearhead the project.
“The pain of losing my grandmother, a loss I still carry with me to this day, is inseparable from the hope that we can save others from a similar fate. It is a project that would have filled my grandmother with pride had she been here today.
“The Batuli Ajiferuke Shagaya Burn Intensive Care Unit (BAS-BICU) building in UITH, Ilorin marks a significant milestone in the healthcare sector, particularly in the management of acute burns. The new intensive care unit aimed to meet the objective of limiting the systemic insult that accompanies burn injuries, it also aimed at providing a higher level of specialised care to patients suffering from burns. It will also play a crucial role in preventing infections related to invasive procedures and improving the overall care and treatment of burn patients.
“The BAS-BICU will serve as a beacon of hope for those who have been afflicted with severe burns, offering a higher level of care that will not only improve treatment outcomes but also help prevent devastating infections and improve the overall quality of life for those who require such specialized care,” he said.
Shagaya said that the over N250m Burn Centre is unmatched in the whole of North-Central region, adding that the state-of-the-art facilities at the centre “are to serve the needs of our community, to save lives, and to promote healing and recovery. The equipment you see before you will serve as tools in the hands of skilled professionals, transforming the treatment of burn patients in our country.”
The chief medical director (CMD) of UITH, Prof. Yussuf Abdullah, appreciated the donor, saying that the project would ensure the provision of quality healthcare and attainment of universal health coverage (UHC) to the populace.
Prof. Abdullahi, who solicited for more donations to UITH, added that such donations would enable the tertiary hospital to continually improve and expand its quality healthcare provisions; and further contribute to reducing the tides of the increasing medical tourism overseas.