UITH Inaugurates Burn Intensive Care Unit
By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
The University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) has inaugurated the Batuli Ajiferuke Shagagya Burn Intensive Care Unit, for optimal care of burn victims.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Burn Intensive Care Unit is expected to saves lives and promote healing and recovery from burn injuries.
Speaking at the commissioning, Prof. Yusuf Dasilva, the Chief Medical Director of UITH stated that the clinical building was built and equipped with state of the art facilities, donated by Alhaji Sheriff Shagaya, an entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Dasilva explained that the burn intensive care unit is a stand alone comprehensive unit which is specialized medical facility that provides advanced care for patients who have sustained severe burns.
“The facility is to be staffed by a multidisciplinary team of healthcrae professionals, including burn surgeons, nurses, respiratory therapist,. pharmacists, behavioural scientists ans physical therapists,” he said.
Dasilva commended Shagaya for responding to the yearnings of the hospital, while appealing to the Federal Government and notables in the society to invest in the health sector.
He explained further that the hospital had received similar donations of equipment and consumables from various international organizations.
He disclosed that permanent site of the UITH has expanded tremendously in infrastructures compared to what it was at the inception; with seven blocks and now with 20 blocks of building.
He explained thay because of continually increasing needs of rhe hospital and the evident willingness of well meaning Nigerians to partner with Federal Government to ensure provision of quality healthcare.
The CMD commended Gov. AbdulRaham AbdulRazaq of Kwara for rescuing the hospital from the burdens of provision of tertiary health care, by upgrading the General Hospital to Kwara State University Teaching Hospital.
In her address, Dr Amina El-Imam, Kwara Commissioner for Health, said that burn injuries are among the most severe medical challenges.
According to her, this is a monumental steo forward to provide comprehensive healthcare for burn victims in the state.
El-Imam explained that the state government has embark on transformative project on healthcare across the state.
In his reaction, Alhaji Sheriff Shagaya, the donor of the burn unut said the project was inspired by the pains he suffered when he lost his grandmother to burn injury.
According to him, the burn unit is a monument to resilience, a symbol of determination to overcome adversity ans transform experience into opportunities for growth and healing. (NAN)
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