Emma Okonji
The Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu and the MTN Foundation have been commended by Nigerians and appreciated by the Abdullateef family for the recommendation and sponsorship of the treatment of their baby girl, Mutmainat Abdullateef, who had a whole in her heart. She was successfully treated in an Indian hospital.
The heart surgery, which cost $21,566 (NI0.6 million), was carried out on Mutmainat, to correct her congenital heart condition at the Apollo Hospital, India.
The baby’s case was recommended to MTN Foundation by the minister and the MTN Foundation took it up to sponsor her treatment.
In a letter informing the minister of the successful treatment of Mutmainat, the Foundation said: (We are pleased to inform you that following successful surgery and recuperation in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in Apollo Hospital, India, baby Mutmainat Abdullateef, who your office referred with congenital heart condition, has returned to Nigeria.”
The Special Assistant on Media to the minister, Victor Oluwadamilare said despite the higher risk of performing the surgery, which is clinically put between 10 and 20 per cent chance of surviving, the Foundation informed the minister of its ability to “save a life and contribute to the process of restoring the health of baby Mutmainat”.
Mutmainat’s father, Abubkar Abdullateef in an appreciation letter, commended the MTN Foundation for the timely intervention in the treatment of the girl.
“Sponsoring of such a very expensive surgical operation by MTN Foundation at this time of recession in the country, is an indication that the company is indeed out to assist the less privileged in the country”, he said.
Sometimes last year, the Abdullateef Family of Agoro Ogunmola Compound in Kishi, Oyo State in an hapless situation of inability to foot the medical bill of their daughter had approached the minister for intervention.
The minister, then used his good offices to refer the family to the MTN Foundation and recommended assistance, to which the Foundation acceded and eventually foot the bill for travel, treatment and logistics for the patient and her mother in India.
