Ndigbo in the United States of America under the umbrella of 100 Igbos USA Inc have donated medical materials worth over $200,000 to tertiary institutions in the South-East of the country to fight the covid-19 pandemic.
The medical items donated include 1000 pieces protective gowns, 72 boxes M95 masks, 1000 pieces RM95 masks, 1000 pieces protective goggles, 11,000 pieces gloves, 50 pieces infra red therms, 5 cartoons shoe covers among others.
Presenting the items to representatives of the various tertiary institutions at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching hospital (NAUTH)
Nnewi, President of the group, Ejikeme O, Obasi said the items was to support and assist Ndigbo set their own agenda in fighting the disease.
Channelled through Prof Stanley Anyanwu of the Institute of Oncology, (NAUTH)
Obasi said some of their members were physicians in the US and Canada and have been on the frontline in the care of patients with coronavirus infection, adding that they have witnessed firsthand, the effects of the pandemic on the American public.
He said, “Recognizing that this is a global pandemic, and in line with our statement mission, we decided to engage local healthcare professionals in the South-East zone to develop a regional response that would successfully control the pandemic in the zone.
“The donated supplies are to ensure that the local health practitioners have the necessary tools to fight the pandemic, while also protecting themselves.”
Earlier, Prof Stanley Anyanwu of the Institute of Oncology, (NAUTH) who coordinated distribution of the items on behalf of the donors, regretted that the country was in distress as a result of lack of medical equipment and drugs.
“Our health workers are not protected and many have died in the process of giving attention to patients under the covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
While commending the donors for the gesture, Anyanwu described it as a good omen that has happened to the zone, urging the institutions to ensure they put the medical items into good use.
Responding, Chief Medical Director NAUTH Nnewi, Prof Anthony Igwebe, thanked the donors for assisting Ndigbo, stressing that the consumables, especially the Personal Protective Equipment would help to protect health workers from contacting the virus.
Other beneficiaries included Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka, Imo state University Teaching hospital, Orlu, University Teaching Hospital, Enugu, among others.
