UCH seeks private partnership on sickle cell treatment

The University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, is seeking private partnership in treating the increasing number of sickle cell patients visiting the hospital. The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Professor Temitope Alonge stated this in Ibadan while conducting representatives of a Japanese based Health providing company, “TERUMO” led by its Group Chairman, Koji Nakao, on […]

The University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, is seeking private partnership in treating the increasing number of sickle cell patients visiting the hospital.
The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Professor Temitope Alonge stated this in Ibadan while conducting representatives of a Japanese based Health providing company, “TERUMO” led by its Group Chairman, Koji Nakao, on a facility tour of the UCH, after donating a medical equipment “Aphresis” for the management of sickle cell anaemia patients attending the hospital.
The visiting team assured of more assistance to the hospital after the tour.
Addressing the team, Professor Alonge revealed that findings by the UCH have revealed that in recent times, major causes of death of patients recorded at the hospital have been due to infection, cancer, injuries (trauma), cardiovascular problems and sickle cell anaemia.
He said that the hospital is doing its best to ensure that patients suffering from any of these ailments and who are attending the hospital, are given the best of treatment.
The Chief Medical Director noted that the reality that government cannot fully fund all the needs of its hospitals, made UCH to look out for private partnership in its activities, especially in the procurement of facilities.
While noting that the UCH began the private partnership initiative in 2007, the Chief Medical Director urged the media to assist the hospital in securing more genuine interested parties to offer more assistance to the hospital.
Facilities inspected by the team included the sickle cell anemia centre still under construction, the geriatric centre as well as the renovated blood bank, among others.
Addressing newsmen after the facility tour, the TERUMO Group Chairman, Koji Nakao declared said  UCH has potentials and  Professor Alonge has been trying to do many things.
“Just like many endeavours, there are also challenges but we believe with what we have seen on ground.  The hospital is forging ahead and should be supported and encouraged,” he stated.