By Ibironke Ariyo
Dr Yusuf Suberu, representative of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) for the United Nations Decade of Action on Injury Prevention, has urged healthcare providers nationwide to prioritise care for accident victims.
Suberu made the plea during his foundation’s courtesy visit to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) on Monday in Abuja, where they donated relief items and cash gifts to the hospital and accident victims.
Dr Yusuf John-Suberu Foundation donated N500,000 to the hospital and gave accident victims and aged patients N20,000 each, along with essential items such as tissues, antiseptic products, soaps and hand washes.
As the National Coordinator, FCT Squadron leader, Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) Mayors of the Federation , Suberu stressed the importance of immediate medical attention for accident victims, highlighting that timely intervention was crucial to saving lives.
His call to action followed concerns over hospitals denying emergency treatment to accident victims due to a lack of police reports, resulting in unnecessary deaths.
Suberu commended FMC Abuja for its swift response to accident victims, encouraging other government and private hospitals to follow suit.
He shared his personal experience of bringing accident victims to the hospital, noting that none were ever rejected.
“I want to go practical.I don’t even want to go with my speech. Personally. I have brought several accident victims to this hospital and no time was the accident victims rejected.
“That is on a personal basis. I didn’t wait for somebody to assess this hospital for me. And I said to myself, though at the moment the country is a little bit tight, but in the midst of it, we are still eating and accidents are still happening.
“If stakeholders in the health sector are doing what they ought to do, patients will not suffer at the hospitals.
“This is a place to emulate. Imagine if all the other public and private hospitals are functioning the way this hospital is functioning, that means our health care will improve drastically,”he said.
Suberu emphasised that prioritising accident victims’ care and working together would prevent unnecessary deaths and reduce the impact of accidents worldwide.
He said “So, we believe from the little God has made available for us, let us also reach out to not just the patient, but also to the hospital.
“This is because, I know in a critical moment like this, if you have to attend to patients, sometimes they may not have money at hand. And then definitely something has to be done in that regard.
“So we personally have a little sum for the hospital and then we have donation for the accident victims too.
“Now, this is my own way of contributing to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu. Trying to say it is not just about what the nation can give to you, but what you can also offer, “he said
Suberu called on the government at all levels to support and to set up the necessary apparatus that would also help transform the health sectors in the country.
He called on commuters and pedestrians to be careful when driving or using the roads adding that ember months comes with increase in vehicular movement due to festivities attached to the month’s.
“This is ember month, I want to tell all the commuters and the pedestrians on the need to be careful.
“Drive as if everybody in Nigeria depends on you, know that somebody’s else safety is your own safety and please before you cross the road, look well.
“When you are driving, don’t make phone calls, that one second is very important, when there is fatigue, take time to rest and regain energy to be able to continue your journey,”he said.
Reacting, the Medical Director, FMC, Dr Saad Ahmed commended the foundation’s “impactful gesture towards the hospital and accident victims.
Ahmed, who was represented by the Head of clinical services, FMC, Dr Bioku Muftau said that the donation addressed challenges faced by accident victims, including anonymity, lack of access to relatives, phones, and even funds.
He also said that the generous gesture reinforced the importance of community support in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
“Accident victims were vulnerable individuals who may be unknown, rich or poor, but require immediate care.
“This donation will provide basic resuscitative materials like IV fluids, bandages, and sutures and this foundation’s support sets an example for others to assist accident victims.
“We urge other organisations to follow suit, helping more victims access quality care. We also believe that timely intervention by doctors with these critical supplies will save lives, “he said.
Present at the event were representative of VIO, members of NGOs and CSOs on road safety matters, relevant stakeholders among others.
