UITH Inaugurates Pediatric Theatre Donated for North-Central Geo-political Zone by International NGOs
By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
Prof. Yusuf Dasilva, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), on Wednesday inaugurated the pediatric theatre jointly donated by two non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NGOs — Smile Train and Kids Operating Room (KidsOR) — donated the theatre for the repair of cleft lips and cleft palate.
Speaking during the inauguration, Dasilva disclosed that the solar-powered theatre has state-of-the-art facilities, and it is the sixth of its kind in Nigeria.
Dasilva, who was represented by Prof. Abayomi Biliaminu, Chairman, UITH’s Medical Advisory Committee (C-MAC), said the centre would serve primarily the surgical needs of children within the country’s North-Central geo-political zone.
He observed that Nigeria needs a comprehensive health sector with a special consideration for pediatric care.
“The pediatric theatre is very important for the children patients, because it’s a special facility for them.
“These are the leaders of tomorrow and any nation that fails in its health sector to cater for them has created a big vacuum for itself.
“We appreciate this kind gesture by our donors and we shall make judicious use of the facilities for the health needs of our children.
“Therefore, the support by Smile Train and KidsOR to install a solar-powered pediatric theatre alleviates the inefficiency and inconvenience associated with power outages during surgery.
”It also reduces greenhouse gas emissions from over-reliance on back-up generators,” Dasilva said.
Mrs Victoria Ogundipe, a representative of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Smile Train, spoke on behalf of her NGO and KidsOR’s CEO, David Cunningham, who was also at the event.
She said their organisations would continue to strengthen surgical and anaesthesia capacity to assist the patients.
Ogundipe said: “Since 2020, Smile Train and KidsOR have refurbished 30 pediatric theatres across 21 countries in Africa.
“This collaboration has also partnered with the West African College of Surgeons (WACS) and the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA).
”This is to offer a pediatric surgery scholarship for the training and education of 45 pediatric surgeons across Africa.”
In his submission, the programme’s facilitator, Prof. AbdulRasheed Nasir, described the donors as humanitarian organisations dedicated to providing needed training and traveling support to willing and chosen surgeons.
Nasir observed that the commissioning was a dream come true, adding that the journey had started since March 17, 2023.
He said the first surgery carried out at the theatre was a cardio-thoracic procedure.
The surgeon added that the facility could carry out about 500 procedures per annum.
NAN reports that Smile Train empowered local medical professionals with training, funding, and resources to provide free cleft surgery and comprehensive cleft care to children globally.
Similarly, KidsOR is a Scotland-based charity organisation working globally to provide Operating Rooms in hospitals and safe equipment to surgeons.(NAN)
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