Saburi residents rejoice as Japanese, Swiss ambassadors donate clinic, borehole

Residents of Saburi, an urban slum in Dei-dei, Abuja, were in a joyous mood on Thursday as they received a Primary Health Clinic and borehole with solar lighting system from the ambassadors of Japan and Switzerland.  “We appreciate the efforts of the Japanese and Swiss ambassadors for coming to our aid. We had to endure […]

Residents of Saburi, an urban slum in Dei-dei, Abuja, were in a joyous mood on Thursday as they received a Primary Health Clinic and borehole with solar lighting system from the ambassadors of Japan and Switzerland.

 “We appreciate the efforts of the Japanese and Swiss ambassadors for coming to our aid. We had to endure a lot of stress to get quality healthcare. We used to go to far places to access healthcare and due to such distance, some of our sick people needing emergency care have died,” Chief Dogo Daniel, the village head said.

 The two projects, which were commissioned and handed over to the community last Thursday, were constructed by the two ambassadors on behalf of their embassies in Nigeria.

 While the Saburi Primary Health Care Clinic, Dei-Dei, was built and equipped by the Ambassador of Japan to Nigeria, Yataka Kikuta, the borehole which will supply water to the hospital and the community was executed by the Ambassador of Switzerland to Nigeria, Eric Mayoraz.

 Kikuta, in his message said “The project falls under the scheme of Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project (GGP) and is designed to improve health care services in the Saburi district. Improving the quality of life is our top priority in our engagement with Nigeria.”

  Handing over the project to the district, he urged the residents to ensure proper maintenance of the clinic. “I encourage all users and other stakeholders to take full ownership and good care of the clinic so that the community as a whole can enjoy the benefits of the project for many years to come,” he urged.

 The Swiss ambassador on his part said the project was an attempt to support the efforts of the Japanese Embassy to Saburi district.

 “The assistance of the Swiss Embassy in providing the solar powered borehole to provide clean water for daily operation of this newly constructed Clinic by the Embassy of Japan means that together we all win. I am very glad that through this donation of both embassies, a better health care can be accessed and minor ailments can be treated and that the escalation and spread of illnesses and waterborne diseases can be controlled,” Mayoraz stated.

 The project director,  Mankind  Development and Rehabilitation Organisation, Okwuchukwu Emeka Alfred, who facilitated the siting and execution at Saburi, said, “The clinic will provide comprehensive primary health care services to nine settlements in areas like  family planning, immunization and treatment of preventable diseases.”

 He said the clinic was constructed at the cost of N24,957, while the borehole was sunk at the cost of N2,790,000.

 “We are thankful for the Japanese and Swiss governments’ understanding of Nigerian sufferings and challenges by providing financial support to develop different sectors including infrastructure, hospitals, schools, water resources, power supply etc,” he added. 

The Chairman of AMAC, Abdullahi Adamu Candido, represented by Mr. Gabriel Bravo, thanked the ambassadors and promised to collaborate with the FCT Primary Healthcare Board (FCT PHCB) to provide qualified health personnel to man the clinic.