By Matthew Johnson

The Inner Wheel Club of Lagos West has donated medical equipment and seating facilities to Ajeromi General Hospital, Ajegunle, and the Olikoye Ransome-Kuti Children Emergency Centre of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Idi-Araba, to boost healthcare delivery and improve the welfare of patients and their relatives.

The donation formed part of the club’s 2025/2026 “2-in-1 Star Project” commissioned on June 24, 2026, to mark the end of the Inner Wheel year. Led by the President of the Inner Wheel Club of Lagos West, Dr. Olubukola Olawuyi, members of the club donated a range of medical equipment and welfare facilities to the two health institutions.

At Ajeromi General Hospital, the club donated 18 concrete seats, one multiparameter patient monitor, two nebulisers, one suction machine and four drip stands to support patient care and improve the hospital environment.

At LUTH’s Olikoye Ransome-Kuti Children Emergency Centre, the club donated two multiparameter patient monitors, 140 Elegant X OK plastic chairs, 24 multipurpose bowls and 12 plastic stools to enhance patient management and the comfort of patients and caregivers.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, the Medical Director of Ajeromi General Hospital, Dr Yetunde Sotunde, described the intervention as timely, noting that the facility had long required a dedicated waiting area for relatives of patients in the emergency unit.

According to her, the donation would provide comfort and dignity for families who often remain at the hospital while awaiting updates on the condition of their loved ones.

“One particular challenge was a seating area for relatives of patients. We had a seating area in one part of the hospital, but not in the casualty section, which is relatively new.

“It was one of our proposals that we should have a comfortable waiting area for relatives who accompany patients, especially those brought to the emergency unit. The donation by Inner Wheel is therefore a welcome gesture.

“Many of them refuse to go home because they are anxious about the outcome of treatment. We observed that they sat around in uncomfortable conditions. These seats will bring a lot of comfort and dignity to them while they wait,” Sotunde said.

President of the Inner Wheel Club of Lagos West, Dr. Olubukola Olawuyi, said the initiative was the club’s signature humanitarian project for the 2025/2026 Inner Wheel year, aimed at supporting healthcare institutions with facilities that directly impact patient care.

She stressed that government alone could not meet the growing healthcare needs of the population, underscoring the need for support from non-governmental organisations and community groups.

“This is our star project. We felt it was important to improve the comfort of patients and their relatives while also supporting healthcare workers with essential equipment.

“We recognise that government cannot meet all healthcare needs, which is why we chose to support these hospitals with facilities that will directly impact patient care,” she said.

Also speaking, Past President of Inner Wheel Club of Lagos West and Past Chairman of International Inner Wheel District 911, Mrs Kafilat Afodun, said the project reflected the organisation’s commitment to improving the welfare and comfort of vulnerable groups.

“Inner Wheel is a non-commercial organisation. We know government cannot do everything, so we support initiatives that improve the welfare and comfort of the people,” she said.

The District Chairman of Inner Wheel District 911 and Director of Administration, LUTH, Mrs Omolola Fakaye, said the donated patient monitors would strengthen emergency response and improve patient management, particularly in critical care situations.

“The devices will assist healthcare workers in monitoring critically ill patients and responding quickly to emergencies, especially in the Accident and Emergency Unit,” she said.

Representing the Chief Medical Director of LUTH, Prof. Lanre Adeyemo, the Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, Dr Babawale Bello, commended the organisation for the intervention and called for stronger collaboration between public health institutions and non-governmental organisations.

“There are many things hospitals should be doing for patients, but the demands are enormous and government cannot do it all alone,” Bello said.

He noted that partnerships such as the one demonstrated by the Inner Wheel Club would go a long way in complementing government efforts and improving healthcare services for Nigerians.