By EMMANUEL ELEBEKE
After so many years of neglect of ageing and dilapidated facilities at the paediatric department of Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, help came its way last week from Total Nigeria Plc.

The project comprising infrastructure refurbishment of 200 beds in the ward; three defribrillators; 40 neonatal beds; 60 paediatric beds; a new 200 KVA Perkins generator; water treatment plant and portable ultrasound machine, is in three phases estimated to cost  N177 million when completed.

The second phase which was also flagged off will cover infrastructural renovation of the second ward of the department and provision of bone marrow aspiration, biopsy needles, cold centrifuge, transport incubators, photo-therapy units, bilirubinometers, neonatal and paediatrics beds as well as ward screens and installation and training of personnel.

Representative of Total Plc and General Manager, Deepwater East, Mr. Francois Lecoco said Total had made it a policy to upgrade the quality of lives in Nigeria. He explained that the choice to fully renovate and improve an existing paediatric ward in LUTH, fit well with their  vision for the USAN project and would impact on the most vulnerable members of the society, which are mostly children.

‘According to him, LUTH was the natural choice for the project due to its reputation and reach not only within Lagos State but also beyond.  He said the second phase of the project is expected to boost  healthcare deliveryin Nigeria

The Group General Manager, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, represented by Hajiya Hamisa Safiya said the objective of the project was to enhance the quality of paediatric healthcare in the country as well as support best practice in the field of paediatric medicine.

Chief Medical Director, LUTH, Prof. Akin Osibogun, represented by the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, Dr. Olugbenga Ogunlewe  said LUTH as a provider of tertiary health services since 49 years of its establishment, had experienced series of challenges occasioned by inadequate and dilapidated facilities, which require urgent attention to function properly.