By Adeola Ogunlade
Thirty indigent patients at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos (NOHIL) recently wore a sign of relief as a group of Nigerian women in the diaspora, known as the Exquisite Golden Queens, donated cash gifts worth N600,000 to them.
The group led by Mrs. Oluwatoyin Ogunbeku presented the money to the Head of the National Medical Social Service Department at the hospital, to the admiration of the patients.
The event, tagged “Giving to the Needy,”
Ogunbeku said that the kind gesture was the group’s way of alleviating the sufferings of some Nigerians during this critical time.
She stated during the donation that they are a group of like-minded women with a humanitarian focus, committed to contributing to the country’s development through aid to the poor.
Ogunbeku disclosed that the group is based in the United States, United Kingdom, and Nigeria, emphasiasing that their mission is to uphold and share the values reflected in Nigeria’s national anthem.
“We plan to visit orphanages and old people’s homes. One of our members suggested visiting this hospital after seeing the conditions here.
“We agreed to help patients who are unable to pay their medical bills. Each of us in the association has a passion for helping others, and we believe in extending our blessings to those in need. We decided to give N20,000 each to 40 patients,” she said.
Ogunbeku further assured that this initiative would continue as long as they have the means, hoping that God will continue to provide for them.
Another key member of the group, Mrs. Funmilola Animashaun, stated that they came together to give to the needy and give back to Nigeria.
“This is our first visit to this place, and we felt that we should do something for the patients. We want other people in other platforms to emulate what we are doing and help the people back home in Nigeria. We want the current government to see this and assist the people,” she said.
Okoruwa, Head of the National Medical Social Service Department at the hospital, who led the team that hosted the group, highlighted the importance of the visit, stating that most of their patients need assistance.
She emphasised the financial needs of the patients for their drugs, treatments, and overall care provided by the doctors.
“They need financial assistance for their treatments to speed up their recovery and make them happy. We have patients that have been abandoned by their relatives, so they need the support,” she said.
She further said that a few Nigerians and NGOs have been coming to assist the patients in the hospital and urged other kind-hearted Nigerians to follow suit.
Okoruwa also urged the government to do more for the hospital, noting that accidents can occur at any time.
“We don’t reject patients in the hospital. Every patient that comes, as long as it is our case, we don’t reject them. The government should assist them, at least for the first 48 hours of treatment.
“The patients need assistance, and the hospital cannot do everything because our resources are limited. That is why social workers should come in to assist them. The government should also make health insurance available for the patients to get treatments,” she said.
Some of the beneficiaries of the gesture included Osineye Sakirat, who was involved in a road accident; Salamatu Ahmed, who had a double amputation due to diabetes; and Uzoma Okafor, an oncology patient with an above-knee amputation.
Other beneficiaries are Kareem Dorcas, an accident victim whose leg was amputated; Uche Agbaga, who was hit by a truck at a motor park; Obioha Uche, a 100-level student/orphan and oncology patient; and Mrs. Funmilayo Thomas, a road sweeper who had multiple injuries from an accident allegedly caused by FRSC officials pursuing a bus.