Foundation Warns Hospitals Against Donated Equipment Diversion
Beneficiaries of the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation (SEOF) medical equipment and other supplies have been warned against sale or diversion of the materials.
Founder of the organization, Sir Emeka Offor who gave the warning in Oraifite, Anambra state during the foundation’s second phase donation of medical equipment worth billions of naira to 21 tertiary medical institutions, said culprits risked prosecution.
Ofor, represented by the Chief of Staff of the foundation, AIG Chris Ezike (rtd) said the warnings on profiteering from the donations was informed by past experiences, describing the caveat as precautionary to ensure beneficiaries did not feign ignorance. He said, “We are talking from two experiences, from issues of corporate governance and from history. When you’re making donations, especially when it is free, it will be immoral and unethical for beneficiaries to make profits out of them.
“Secondly, we learn from history. We’ve seen most items donated by UNICEF and WHO in the market where they are being sold. It is good to be precautious. If it is not used for the intended purpose, it would hurt us morally.
“If we noticed you’re diverting them, you’ll be prosecuted. If you sell it, you’ll face the consequences of stealing. It’s punishable by our status. Besides, giving such persons again will be far-fetched.
“We’ve put in place post-donation monitoring. We have an in-house public health consultant, who will visit all the beneficiaries to find out whether we’re really getting value for our time.”
Offor further explained that the donations were informed by the founder’s vision of touching lives and improving the living conditions of the marginalized and impoverished Nigerians.
“The realisation by SEOF that health is wealth and the heathier any population, the more economically productive they may be. Besides, we need to support government efforts as a private and non-governmental initiative,” he added.
Also speaking, Deputy Managing Director, Enugu Electricity Distribution Plc (EEDC), Paul Okeke said the gesture was occasioned by decline in quality of graduates from nation’s educational institutions, pledging the firm’s continued partnership with the foundation in initiatives targeted at the development of the South East.
On his part, Chief Medical Director, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) Nnewi, Prof. Anthony Igwegbe whose institution was among the beneficiaries regretted the ugly situation of the nation’s health institutions.
Igwegbe who was represented by Dr Ogochukwu Ezejiofor expressed optimism that the donation would improve quality healthcare in the state’s health institutions.
Orietdailynews
