The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has said that it had given over $7 billion in humanitarian efforts to bless the Nigerian Federation and was also expected to donate $3.5 billion to the country this year.
President, West Africa Area of the Church, Elder Gifford Nielsen disclosed this on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at the handover ceremony of medical equipment the Church donated to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja.
Nielsen said, “Over the course of the last few years, the church has been very ambitious in this country, as we have given over $7 billion in humanitarian efforts to bless the lives of the Nigerian Federation, the Paediatric Association of Nigeria, and worked very closely with the World Health Organisation and we’re expecting to donate $3.5 billion this year in 2023 in Nigeria alone, so we’re so grateful to be here”.
The Clergyman also explained that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints had consistently supported the Ministry of Health by funding key projects that they recognise will help and bless all of the people of Nigeria.
Speaking further, he said, “We are so honoured because we are celebrating the church’s donation. As has been said today we are donating three dialysis machines two incubators one reverse osmosis and a water treatment plant and all the supplies and equipment associated, helping to relieve the burden of our medical heroes and easing the suffering that some Nigerians go through”.
In response, Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr. Salma Anas stated that, apart from reversing medical tourism, the donated equipment will save a lot of energy and resources for the country.
Anas narrated that, “even though the federal government has invested so much in the recent years, in infrastructure, and also in high tech medical equipment, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, affordability to dialysis is still beyond the ordinary Nigerian and has been a big concern”.
She, therefore maintained that “in this way, one can see that your intervention today is not only historic, but we highly acknowledge it and we assure you that we will sustain, we will maintain, and continue to build on what you have started with us today”.
Expressing his appreciation for the Church’s donation, Chief Medical Director, Federal Medical Center, Abuja, Prof. Sa’ad Ahmed said, the hospital had been groping under the weight of demand for renal dialysis as the two dialysis machines they had were not enough.
Ahmed exclaimed, “No wonder that the news of this donation of dialysis machines, water treatment plant, dialysis chairs, patient monitor, incubators, and renovation of the pediatric ward was received with great excitement and jubilation as this will go a long way, serving many of our patients with dialysis and paediatrics needs. We sincerely thank the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for this wonderful gesture”.
On his part, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Engr. Adebiyi Olufunsho said, “as we launch these three (3) modern haemodialysis machines, three (3) electric dialysis chairs, two (2) patient monitors, two (2) infusion pumps, three (3) syringe pumps, and two (2) infant incubators graciously donated by the Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints, I strongly believe that these medical equipment will go a long way in preserving and elongating the life of our patients who are suffering from kidney and infant-related conditions”.
He, therefore implored the Hospital Management to “ensure adequate maintenance of these lifesaving machines since this approach will be cheaper than procuring new ones”.
