Members of FIDA at an outreach to children at Jos University Teaching Hospital.
By Marie-Therese Nanlong
Jos – 29 children on admission at the Paediatric Ward 16 of the Jos University Teaching Hospital, JUTH were on Wednesday given a treat to mark the 2024 Children’s Day.
The children were feted by the Plateau State Branch of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA who went to spend some time with the children and showered them with assorted gifts.
Ngozi Achilefu, the Chairperson who led her members to the Ward which FIDA adopted two years ago said the visit was to give hope to the children and their family members who are caring for them.
She said, “We are here to celebrate Children’s Day with the children on admission in the Ward. We theme this celebration, the inclusion of indisposed children. These children would have loved to run around and play with their mates but sickness has made that impossible so we decided to bring the celebration to them.
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“These children have their potential, we desire that God heals them and get them out of the hospital so that by next year, they will be able to join our children to celebrate. Paediatric Ward 16 was adopted by FIDA Plateau State two years ago.
“We have been coming here occasionally to identify with the children admitted to the Ward. When you adopt a child, you can’t abandon the child that is why we keep coming to identify with them. We call on people of goodwill to always remember the less fortunate anytime they celebrate.
“They should not forget that they are people especially children who yearn for love and care, empathy, and extend the celebration to make them feel love and enhance their healing. Each of the 29 children admitted to the Ward was given hampers filled with toiletries, provisions, snacks, water, and other things.
The Management of JUTH through the Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, DCMAC (Clinical Services), Dr. Nankling Lamu appreciated that gesture.
Her Words, “We appreciate FIDA for this love and all you have been doing to maintain the Ward since you adopted the Ward. You have been coming to ensure the Ward is maintained, you created the playground for the children and we appreciate you.
“This is the true love of mothers and reflected by FIDA, we appreciate you for identifying with the indisposed children, and we pray that the children be discharged soon to return to their families and resume their daily activities. On behalf of the Management, we appreciate you for this kind gesture and pray that God bless you.”
A mother, Rahama Yusuf expressed gratitude to FIDA and said the gifts are timely relief because “We don’t have some of these items that they gave us.”
However, the celebration cake was shared with the children, parents, and some of the staff working in the Ward.
