By Ashemiriogwa Emmanuel
Nigeria’s leading provider of telecommunications services, Airtel Nigeria, has completed the renovation of the Ward A medical facility at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) with cutting-edge medical equipment and infrastructure.
This comes barely a year after the company had disclosed that the sum of N200 million would be invested in revamping and equipping the infectious disease centre at LUTH to cushion the effect of the COVID-19 upsurge.
The newly equipped facility, which is the main ward of the tertiary hospital, now houses an additional 111-bed capacity for admissions, improved plumbing systems, and well-equipped, plush rooms for patients.
Speaking at the handing over of the refurbished medical facility to LUTH on Saturday, November 20, 2021, the Minister of Health, Mr Osagie Ehanire, lauded the effort of Airtel for its far-sighted good deed, adding that such synergy between the private and public sector is encouraged.
“This would have a significant impact to the health sector because this a modern ward that is acceptable by all standards which will increase the confidence of citizens, and even those who don’t wish to be treated here despite the high-quality facility will have a different opinion when they see what has been done here,” the Minister said.
In his remarks, the CEO of Airtel Nigeria, Mr Chemmekonkil Surendran, noted that this was a demonstration of the company’s commitment towards fulfilling its Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) by contributing to accessible infrastructure for Nigerians with medical emergencies.
Expressing gratitude over the completed project, LUTH’s Chief Medical Director, Mr Chris Bode, said, “The Airtel Team assigned to us, headed by Mr Emeka Opara, did a fantastic job.
“Mr Surendran, if five multinationals in Nigeria would do what your company has done for us yearly, life will be paradise on earth.”
When asked about measures to maintain the glory of this revamped building, Mr Bode informed Business Post that “the cleaning and facility maintenance has been contracted out to keep in good shape all that has been installed, as well as yearly upgrade and general maintenance.”
According to him, the department of medicine is ready to start admitting patients into the facility as they can now benefit from the improved quality of care.
Other dignitaries present at the commissioning yesterday included the Chairman of LUTH management board, Mr Isa Bello Sali; the Group Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Africa, Mr Segun Ogunsanya, who joined virtually, as well as other Airtel executives.
Adedapo Adesanya 
Aduragbemi Omiyale