26th December, 2023
By Jethro Ibileke
The wife of Edo State Governor, Betsy Obaseki, has unveiled plans to enhance neonatal care in the coming year. She unveiled the plans when she visited the Central Hospital and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) to welcome Christmas babies and other new additions to families in the state on Monday.
Addressing a gathering of staff and student nurses after her ward-to-ward tour, the Edo First Lady reiterated her deep concern for neonates.
She outlined plans for the upcoming year to further support and enhance newborn care in the State.
“We are working on training not only midwives, nurses, and doctors, but also traditional birth attendants across the State on how to care for newborn babies. In America, they call it ‘helping babies breathe.’
“We hope to have some of you attend the program. It’s an intense program with a strict syllabus developed by the Federal Government. We are bringing it to Edo to train our people to make a difference,” she said.
To back her word with action, Mrs Obaseki showed particular concern for the mother who delivered a set of triplet babies (name withheld) when she made a compassionate promise to cover the medical bills for the family.
The infants had been receiving care in the Special Baby Care unit of UBTH since September.
The highlight of the visit was the birth of a Christmas baby at 12:15 am to the Osagie family.
The festivities continued with a harmonious chorus of songs of praise, with Mrs Obaseki actively participating and spreading the Christmas spirit as she navigated from ward to ward and bed to bed extended felicitations to families, presenting gifts to new mothers amid the resonating backdrop of Christmas carols and songs of praise echoing throughout the Hospital.
Responding, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of UBTH, Prof. Darlington Obaseki, commended the Edo First Lady for her unwavering concern, even as he acknowledged the positive impact of her contributions to healthcare.
Prof Obaseki noted that healthcare givers seek, not just their salaries, but acknowledgement and encouragement.
According to him, “At times we seek more than just salaries. What we need is not only money but also encouragement. Your presence here has given us extra motivation to work harder.
“Our staff, including doctors, nurses, physicians, and therapists, all they seek is acknowledgement. Your presence here is that acknowledgement to everybody. You can see the enthusiasm.”