– Begins Phase 2 of its Hospital Support Programme
Lagos — To improve health care delivery in Nigeria through its Hospital Support Programme (HSP), the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with three University Teaching Hospitals in the country.
The MoU which was signed yesterday in Abuja with the University of Jos Teaching Hospital, the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, and the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, signals the commencement of Phase 2 of the HSP program aimed at improving health care delivery and building a better Nigeria.
The NLNG Hospital Support Programme (HSP) is NLNG’s national Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative which aims to boost the healthcare delivery system in 12 Federal University Teaching Hospitals cutting across all six geopolitical zones in the country. The program started in 2022 with the signing and implementation of MoUs with the six hospitals in the first phase of the program.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Olalekan Ogunleye NLNG’s Deputy Managing Director said the Company’s vision of being a globally competitive LNG company, helping to build a better Nigeria has inspired the Company’s CSR intervention in the over 20 years of its operation. He stated that Nigeria LNG would implement a third phase of the program whilst hospital projects in earlier phases are being completed and commissioned.
He stated that the University of Uyo teaching hospital would get a twin-suite operating theatre, an accident, and an emergency care unit would be constructed at the University of Jos teaching hospital while the University of Port Harcourt teaching hospital would get a renal facility.
Hospital projects to be delivered in Phase 3 include the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBUTH) Bauchi; Federal Medical Centre, Asaba; and the Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) Nnewi. NLNG is also implementing the equipping of a Renal Transplant Center at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) to support a robust healthcare system in Rivers State as part of its COVID-19 intervention program.
“All these will be completed and commissioned within this year 2023, The four outstanding for phase 1 will complete and commission this year. He said
Mr. Ogunleye also stated that the Company recognized that good healthcare was necessary for economic, human, and social development in Nigeria, adding that NLNG has placed a premium on healthcare due to this recognition.
“Nigeria faces several health challenges, including infectious diseases, maternal and child mortality, and non-communicable diseases. Poor health outcomes can severely affect economic growth, human development, and overall well-being. Access to quality healthcare can improve productivity, reduce mortality rates, improve educational outcomes and the quality of life, and increase life expectancy and social and economic status”.
“Poor health outcomes disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including women, children, and the elderly. Access to quality healthcare can also help reduce health disparities and promote social equity. This, in turn, can help reduce poverty, promote gender equality, and promote social cohesion”.
Also speaking, NLNG’s General Manager of External Relations and Sustainable Development, Andy Ode, commended health workers for their sacrifices and resilience saying, “we see daily the work you do and the sacrifices you make, thank you for your commitment. Your colleagues are all over the globe but you’ve chosen to stay and continue to fight for a better Nigeria.”
In his goodwill message, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of, the Federal Ministry of Health, Alhaji Mahmuda Mamman, commended the efforts being put in place by the NLNG to improve the nation’s healthcare sector through its various interventions in beneficiary University teaching hospitals.
He urged other organizations and stakeholders to partner with the government to fill the gaps affecting the delivery of effective and efficient healthcare services to the citizenry.
While commending the management of the NLNG for its commitment to execute the hospital projects, the minister said that the quest for quality healthcare is a collective responsibility, adding that all stakeholders are expected to contribute their quota towards the attainment of universal health coverage.
He urged other organizations and stakeholders to partner with the government in filling the gaps in the health sector as part of their corporate social responsibility.
NLNG is owned by four Shareholders, namely, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (49%), Shell Gas B.V. (25.6%), TotalEnergies Gaz & Electricity Holdings (15%), and Eni International N.A. N. V. S.àr.l (10.4%).
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