[Abuja, Nigeria] - The Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) has purchased and has donated an ambulance each to Plateau and Yobe State as part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.
As the world continues to grapple with the realities of living with the COVID-19 pandemic, OSIWA understands that we live in times when COVID-19 response should not be impeded by the lack of health resources. It is for this reason that the foundation has expanded its support beyond civil society organizations by providing vital resources to some state governments.
"This is OSIWA's way of reminding society that all stakeholders need to work together to fight this pandemic," said Catherine Angai on behalf of the Nigeria office. The ambulance was presented to Yobe State, along with medical consumables and personal protective equipment for the health workers.
"This ambulance has come at the right time and will be very useful for collecting test samples throughout the 17 local government areas in the State", said the Yobe State deputy governor while conveying their appreciation. "The ambulance will contribute to boosting the state's testing capacity."
Presenting the ambulance and medical consumables to Plateau State, the OSIWA country head, Udo Jude Ilo stated that the donation is in recognition of the efforts of the State government in combating the pandemic. "The Plateau State government has done a lot of sensitization and testing and OSIWA has decided to support the state's capacity for contact tracing," said Udo Jude Ilo. "OSIWA is also willing to collaborate with Plateau State in promoting improved economic governance and democratic accountability, and gender equality and child's rights Laws."
The governor of Plateau State voiced his gratitude to OSIWA by highlighting the fact that since the state increased its testing capacity, they now understand the magnitude of COVID-19. "The donation will go a long way to facilitate contact tracing and evacuation of persons infected with the disease to treatment centres." He ended his speech by offering the state's willingness to partner with OSIWA in areas of peacebuilding, inclusive and transparent governance as well as on gender-related issues.
OSIWA's support to the health sectors in these States is a reminder that we appreciate the sacrifices and efforts made by health service personnel working on the frontlines of COVID-19 response. OSIWA went further to express its solidarity with the government's commitment to safeguarding patients who have tested positive for COVID-19, recognizing that none of us can contend with the virus alone. OSIWA remains committed to working with national, state, and local institutions to guarantee that they are working in safety, without unnecessary exposure to risk.
"The Open Society Foundation is interested in supporting the community where we are and democracy is not just about the votes but it is also about the quality of lives of the people who vote and so for us, this does three things. Firstly, it is a symbol of solidarity that we are here in Nigeria, working in Nigeria, we are part of the Nigerian story, and we also want to be part of the Nigerian solution. Secondly, we have been working around the COVID-19 pandemic in ensuring that the vulnerable and the marginalized in the society can have a fair chance in society. Thirdly, is that we have to broaden the network of our activities and interacting and interfacing with states is another way of helping us reach persons at the grassroots directly. I think everything counts," Udo Jude Ilo concluded.
