“Nigerian Communities Benefit from LDS Charities Medical Donation,” Liahona, March 2018
Nigerian Communities Benefit from LDS Charities Medical Donation
ANAMBRA
The Ugbene Health Center will provide improved health care for citizens of Awba, Ugbenu, and Ugbene. The center received basic medical equipment, enabling medical staff to provide local maternity and health services.
Village chiefs and leaders from each community attended the event.
Lady Mgbankpulu Okolo said, “I never imagined I would be alive to witness my community getting a fitted health center like this one. It is a miracle and gift from God. Many women deliver at home or sometimes on the road, because the hospital is very far from us. God has answered our prayer at last.”
Ozor Albert Ibe, president general of Ugbene community, recounted an incident where a young man cut his hand while working at the farm. Because the hospital was so far away, the youngster died while being transported to the distant facility.
Prior to the handover ceremony, 132 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints congregations joined with other members of the community to clean the health center and prepare the building for new medical equipment.
The building had been abandoned many years ago. During the four-month renovation project, skilled laborers volunteered their time to the project. Electricians, carpenters, bricklayers, aluminum fabricators, painters, plumbers, and masons all served to ensure the completion of the project. The community youth participated by clearing debris and cutting the grass.
The coordinator of the project, Clement Okoye, was excited that months of hard work and sacrifice had come to fruition. “The community has been needing a functional health Center for a very long time,” said Okoye. “This is a dream come true. The mortality rate here is very high due to lack of medical amenities. Daily life is a risk where we live. We are grateful that LDS Charities came to our rescue.”
Ezeigwe Peter, president of the Onitsha Nigeria Stake, stated that he was overwhelmed by the support and appreciation shown by the community and was impressed by the commitment of individuals. He charged them to maintain the facility and ensure they use the donated equipment judiciously.