The department of Paediatrics in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, played host to the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt G.R.A. for the commissioning of CPAP system, on Saturday 1st day of July 2023.
The Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine was donated by the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt G.R.A to the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) of the hospital. It was commissioned by the District Governor, Rotary International Districts 9141, RTN. Emeke Utebor. He acknowledged the role of the nurses and Doctors in the hospital, to save lives with their selfless services and stated that the Rotary Club is always available to offer assistance, whenever it’s needed, as long as it is within their jurisdiction. He also thanked their partners, Politburo Nigeria, Ideal Option Control and Energy (IOCE) for making the project a reality.
Head of Paediatrics department, Prof. Peace Opara, while appreciating the team for always remembering the department, thanked them for their previous donation of an inverter and also for the CPAP machine. She stated the benefits of the CPAP machine, that it used to aid babies with breathing difficulty, it opens the airways, making it easier for the child to breathe while asleep and this machine is also mobile, which can easily be moved from one point to another for emergency purposes.
The Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee; Prof. Datonye Alasia, on behalf of the Chief Medical Director Prof. Henry Ugboma, welcomed the District Governor of District 9141 to UPTH and thanked him for the privilege of our institution being the first for his official visit after assuming office. He further appreciated the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt G.R.A for their continuous partnership, stating that the CPAP machine is a combination of oxygen concentrator, modified to deliver pressure and this donation is useful, very valuable and impactful to improve on the new borns’ breathing while also providing assurance that, it will be beneficial for the children that it is intended. He said, the hospital will do their own part to expand on services so this also reaches the out-born area”.
The hospital is open for partnership and collaboration, from all well meaning individuals, as we serve the public without any discrimination, Prof. Alasia added.
