Four hospital beds, two patient stretchers, two patient trolleys, two manual wheelchairs, two 2HP inverter air conditioners, four inverter ceiling fans, four patient screen guards, mattresses, pillows, beddings and other medical supplies were on Tuesday donated to Abraka General Hospital by the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) Ohio Chapter, North America, as part of its humanitarian outreach in Delta State.
The chapter also donated food items, a goat and a pig to Shepherd Care Orphanage, Eku, in Ethiope East Local Government Area, to support the welfare of children at the home and boost its farming activities.
Speaking during the presentation at the orphanage, President of UPU Ohio Chapter, Olorogun Dr. Mrs. Louisa Oyoyo Ukochovwera, PhD, said her passion for orphanage support was inspired by her family background.
She disclosed that her mother was raised in an orphanage and got married from one, noting that the experience had strengthened her conviction that children raised in orphanages could attain greatness if given the necessary support.
According to her, every child in the home has the potential to excel in life, stressing that the donation was an expression of love and encouragement from members of the UPU Ohio Chapter.
She explained that although only a delegation was present, more than 74 members of the chapter were united in spirit and prayer with the beneficiaries.
Describing the donation as part of the association’s annual humanitarian programme, Ukochovwera urged the management of the orphanage to make judicious use of the items while assuring them of the chapter’s continued prayers and support.
Founder of Shepherd Care Orphanage, Rev. Richard Obarorakpor, thanked the association for what he described as a timely intervention.
He revealed that beyond the relief materials presented publicly, the chapter also donated a goat and a pig to support the orphanage’s farm, saying the gesture demonstrated genuine concern for the sustainability of the home.
Obarorakpor appealed for additional assistance, particularly for the orphanage’s clinic, which he said requires support to continue providing healthcare services.
He also commended Dr. Ukochovwera for sustaining the relationship her late mother had with the orphanage, describing the visit as a continuation of a legacy of compassion.
At Abraka General Hospital, Chief Barr. Ufuoma Augustina Scott, who presented the medical equipment on behalf of the UPU Ohio Chapter, said the intervention was aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery and complementing the efforts of medical personnel serving the people of Abraka and neighbouring communities.
She acknowledged the challenges confronting public health facilities, including shortages of medical equipment, and urged the hospital management to ensure that the donated items were deployed efficiently for the benefit of patients, especially vulnerable members of society.
Scott called on sons and daughters of Abraka, both at home and in the diaspora, to contribute towards improving healthcare infrastructure, insisting that community development should not be left entirely to government.
Receiving the equipment on behalf of the hospital, Resident Doctor, Dr. Omyimi Chukwuma, described the donation as historic, saying it was the first of its kind received by the facility from the Urhobo community.
He expressed appreciation to members of the UPU Ohio Chapter for the intervention and prayed for greater blessings upon the donors, expressing hope that the partnership would continue in the future.
The outreach formed part of the UPU Ohio Chapter’s efforts to improve healthcare delivery and support vulnerable members of society through sustained humanitarian interventions in Delta State.
