How Obla’s philanthropy is transforming healthcare at Otukpo Teaching Hospital — CMD, Agida

The Chief Medical Director of the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Otukpo, Prof. Teddy Eyaofun Agida, has commended Chief Godwin Obla, SAN, for his philanthropic interventions at the institution and the wider healthcare sector.

Agida spoke at a ceremony in Abuja marking the fulfilment of Obla’s promise to sponsor Ochanya Owoicho, the first female of Idoma extraction to graduate with first-class honours from the Nigerian Law School, for postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom.

The CMD, who said he was present at the Otukpo reception where Obla made the scholarship pledge, described the Abuja ceremony as the fulfilment of a promise made less than a year ago.

“Here again, I’m privileged to be present in the fulfilment of that promise that was made that day,” Agida said.

He said Obla had undertaken several interventions at the Federal University of Health Sciences and its teaching hospital, including the construction of a kidney centre equipped with six functional dialysis machines.

“Before now, you’ve built the kidney centre with six functional dialysis machines, and they’re still functioning today,” he said.

Agida said the kidney centre had significantly improved access to treatment for patients suffering from kidney-related conditions in the area.

“That has gone a long way in helping our kidney patients from that axis,” he said.

According to him, the facility had also reduced the financial and physical burden on patients who might otherwise have had to travel outside Otukpo to access dialysis treatment.

“It has helped them with the pains they would have gone through and the financial challenges that they would have faced if they had to travel or go far away from Otukpo,” Agida said.

The CMD also highlighted ongoing projects at the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, including a 23-bed VIP and amenity ward which he said would be fitted with modern equipment.

He added that Obla had encouraged his friends to undertake development projects at the university, with several initiatives currently ongoing.

“And today again, in the language of philanthropic gesture, we are witnessing this epoch-making event,” Agida said, referring to the scholarship presented to Ochanya.

He urged Ochanya to take advantage of the opportunity and excel in her postgraduate studies.

“To our honouree, this is a great privilege, which I believe you’re going to cash in on as you proceed to another phase in your life,” he said.

“Take up the challenge, and I know you’re going to do well.”

Agida, on behalf of the staff and management of the teaching hospital, expressed appreciation to Obla for his contributions to the institution.

“I bring greetings from staff and management of the teaching hospital in Otukpo that has benefited a lot from this gesture,” he said.