Suzi Agas (on white top), programmes manager, Ike Odoeme Foundation during a visit to injured Saints Academy students at JUTH.
By Marie-Therese Nanlong
Jos – Concerned by the plights of the 11 survivors of the collapsed structure at the Saints Academy, Busa Buji, Jos North local government area of Plateau State who are still in the hospitals, the Ike Odoeme Foundation has made cash donations to them as visits were made to the three hospitals where the survivors are being treated.
The Programme Manager of the Foundation, Suzie Agas led the team to the three hospitals including the Jos University Teaching Hospital, JUTH, Bingham University Hospital, and Our Lady of Apostles, OLA Hospital all in Jos as she encouraged the patients and their relatives to keep hope alive.
Recall that one person is still receiving treatment at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital, three are at OLA and seven critically injured persons are at JUTH.
Agas on behalf of the Foundation donated N50,000 to each of the 11 survivors still on admission, expressed regrets over the incident, and noted the visits aimed to identify with the people and support them in their time of need.
Her words, “We are in Jos to sympathize with the victims and give our support. We will also engage with the stakeholders to find possible ways of averting a future occurrence.”
READ: Saints Academy: Mutfwang inaugurates committee to investigate cause of collapse
However, the Chief Medical Director of JUTH, Dr. Pokop Bupwatda, represented by the Chairman Medical Advisory Council, CMAC of the hospital, Dr. Njem Maina appreciated the gesture and stated, “Since this unfortunate event, many groups have come to support us. The most critical cases were brought to JUTH, and we have about seven patients still undergoing treatment.
“The support from various groups has significantly aided their recovery. We welcome and appreciate the Ike Odoeme Foundation’s visit, as it strengthens our staff’s efforts in caring for the injured.”
The Head of Human Resources at OLA, Melody Kaye added, “We initially received 32 victims, including five who were brought in dead. Six were treated and discharged the same day, while 21 were hospitalised with varying degrees of injuries.
“We currently have only three patients. The support from NGOs like the Ike Odoeme Foundation is commendable and greatly appreciated by the victims and the hospital staff.”
The parents and guardians of the survivors appreciated the gesture and prayed to God to bless the organisation.
