Sahara Group Foundation, the Personal and Corporate Social Impact vehicle of Sahara Group, has reaffirmed its dedication to healthcare improvement by donating state-of-the-art medical equipment to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) in Edo State, Nigeria.
A statement by the Head, Corporate Communications, Sahara Group Ltd, Mr. Bethel Obioma, said the donation is a fulfilment of Sahara Group’s pledge to give medical equipment provided by Sahara Group Foundation to shore up response operations at the THISDAY Dome Covid-19 Isolation and Treatment Centre in FCT, Abuja – a 360-bed facility that became the model for other isolation centres in Nigeria.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the isolation centre was decommissioned. The Sahara Group Foundation formulated a strategy to distribute the medical equipment to healthcare institutions across the nation, with the aim of ramping up healthcare access and availability of ultra-modern equipment in tertiary health institutions.
In collaboration with Asharami Energy, the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) was selected as one of the recipients of the medical equipment and supplies.
The equipment, including dialysis machine, automatic dialysis chair, suction units, monitors, oxygen tanks, medical bed, manual ICU medical beds, and drip stand, among others, was officially handed over to the hospital management in a ceremony held at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital on Monday, November 6, 2023.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, according to the statement, the Director, Sahara Group Foundation, Ejiro Gray, emphasized the Foundation’s commitment to making a difference globally across the energy value chain by providing innovative and sustainable initiatives that enhance the value of living for individuals in its host communities.
She said: “Sahara Group Foundation believes in the power of collaboration to drive positive change, and we are honoured to contribute to the enhancement of healthcare facilities at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. This donation is a testament to our commitment to improving healthcare access and delivery in the communities without which our mandate to build sustainable societies cannot be achieved.”
According to her, “Sahara Group is delighted to redeem the pledge to invest in medical equipment for teaching hospitals, recognizing the significance of well-equipped hospitals, benefiting both the patients and the students who gain knowledge from these institutions.”
While commending Sahara Group Foundation for the gesture, the hospital’s Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof. Darlington Obaseki, called for substantial investments in the health sector to enhance access and effective care.
He expressed his delight that the UBTH was selected as one of the institutions to receive the medical equipment, adding: “We are grateful to Sahara Group Foundation for leading by example and assure you and our stakeholders that the impact of the equipment on our operations will be apparent to all when you visit in the next six months.”
The Head of Stakeholder and Community Relations, Asharami Energy, Babatomiwa Adesida, noted that even though health initiatives are being implemented in communities where Asharami Energy operates, a significant number of community members seek medical treatment at UBTH.
He added that one of Sahara Group’s key achievement is witnessing students on the scholarship scheme pursuing medical studies at UBTH.
Adesida also expressed the company’s commitment to building strong partnerships and collaboration opportunities with UBTH in the future.
