Many Cross River residents celebrated as Lions Clubs International District 404A2 Nigeria under the leadership of District Governor Lion Obonganwan Lynda Odu-Okpeseyi, PMJF, NLCF 2021/2022 Lions Year donated Multi-million naira Ultra-Modern Diabetes Screening and Treatment Centre to Ogoja residents; at the General Hospital Ogoja, Cross River State.
Multi-million naira Ultra-Modern Diabetes Screening and Treatment Centre will serve people in the Northern Senatorial district of the state, neighbouring Benue, Ebonyi, Enugu states as well as Cameroonians as it is a fully equipped facility.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, District Governor of 2021/2022 Lions Year, Lion Lady Lynda Odu-Okpeseyi PMJF, NLCF said the need to improve the quality of live of the people was the brain behind the construction of the facility.
She said, ” A day like this marks yet another beautiful milestone in the annals of our history as a people with foresight and a organization saddled with the responsibility to provide succour to the downtrodden and I feel delighted to stand before you today with a heart full of thanksgiving to God and sincerity of purpose, which signals a promise kept and a true representation of excellent service to humanity for which the Lions Clubs international is known for world over.
“Diabetes over the years has remained a silent killer, causing an upsurge in the mortality rate of Adults to the tune of not less than 1.5 million persons globally according to release by WHO. In a bid to combat these menace called Diabetes, The Lions Clubs International has provided a fully furnished building for the sole purpose of addressing issues relating to Screening and Treatment of citizens faced with the killer disease and also handed over same to the Management of the Ogoja General Hospital, ogoja to complement the effort of both Federal and State Government in her mandate to improve the health condition as well as the livelihood of the people of Cross River and by extension Nigerians.
“The structure currently covers an estimated figure of about 885 sqm² on an 8.3 slope percentage topography. This center will not just provide affordable healthcare to indigenes of Cross River State but also the catchment states like Enugu State, Ebonyi State, Benue State, Akwa Ibom State, and a portion of the Republic of Cameroon as the need arises.”
Odu-Okpeseyi added that Lions in Nigeria has over the years been in the forefront of impactful community service which includes the Building and donation of Diabetes Screening center to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Building and donation of a functional eye theatre to General Hospital, Calabar, Building and donation of Cancer treatment Center at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital Gwagwalada, Building and donation of Primary Health Center, Atu Street, Calabar, Renovation of Primary Health Center, Nsa Ewa, Calabar, Building of Primary Health Center, Edim Otop (under construction) just to mention a few that spans across states of the federation.
Meanwhile, Multiple Council Chairperson of International Lions 404 Club Nigeria, Lion (Princess) Obo Mesembe Edet lauded the achievements of Lion Lynda Odu-Okpeseyi-led executive for 2021/2022 Lions Year and urged the residents to judiciously managed the facilities to solve all health challenges.
On the same vein, Dr David Ushie , SA to the Governor on Health thanked the Lions Club for the edifice and promised that Cross River State Government will make sure the Health facility is protected.
The Permanent Secretary of Cross River State Ministry of Health, Dr Iwara Iwara, and The Medical Superintendent, Dr Ben Ajogbor, His Royal Highest, Buturu Peter Ejue of Idum Mbube appreciated the kind gesture of International Lions of District 404A2 Nigeria for the building the centre in the State.
Dr. Janet Ekpenyong, the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency said the project is a high impact project, laudable and pledged her commitment to ensure the project is dully utilised.
On her part, APC National Women Leader and representative of Digital Governor Benedict Ayade, Dr. Betta Edu said they are proud of what Lions Club International District 404 A2 Nigeria was doing in Ogoja as it was now becoming a new centre of excellence.
Former Cross River Commissioner for Health later said the government will continue to play its supportive role as hundreds and thousands of lives would be saved by this centre.
Meanwhile, Lion Obonganwan Lynda Odu-Okpeseyi thanked General Hospital Management Board, kind hearted donors, LCIF and more importantly, the vision and support of the foremost erstwhile Commissioner of Health , Dr Beta Edu who laid the foundation of Ultra-Modern Diabetes Screening and Treatment Centre on the 16th of September 2021.
she also appreciated Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF), The entire membership of Lions District 404A2 – Nigeria, the Cross River State Ministry of Health, Management and staff of the General Hospital, Ogoja, Ogoja Traditional Rulers Council, parliamentarians, key stakeholders, Corporate and the Donor Agencies.
Studies have shown that on the average, 40 people die everyday from diabetes related ailments in Nigeria and it is pertinent for Nigerians to be cautious of the deadly diseases.
The closing part of the event witnessed award presentation.
