To address the alarming infant mortality rates caused by some medical conditions, the Pillar Initiatives Aid Foundation (PIAF) has joined forces with the Health Emergency Initiative (HEI) by providing additional funding for the third consecutive year.
The funding is designed to provide lifesaving medical support for women and children aged 0 to 5 suffering from conditions such as sepsis, malnutrition, malaria, meningitis, tetanus, typhoid fever, diarrhoea, pneumonia, and other critical illnesses treated at public healthcare facilities. Each intervention offers support of up to ?30,000 per patient.
The partnership is particularly vital, given UNICEF's sobering statistic that 1 in 5 children born in Nigeria do not survive to celebrate their fifth birthday.
Pillar Initiatives Aid Foundation, a nonprofit organisation committed to advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as good health and well-being, reported that the project has significantly reduced mortality rates in various hospitals.
Over 50 beneficiaries have been directly supported, with hospitals such as Massey Street Children's Hospital, Ajeromi General Hospital, Shomolu General Hospital, and Randle General Hospital recording improved outcomes.
Also, HEI has a track record of assisting over 33,500 indigent patients and accident victims across Lagos State and beyond. The organization has earned recognition, including the Best Supporting NGO Award from the Lagos State Health Service Commission and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
Speaking, Co-Founder of PIAF, Mrs Funmi Babatunde-Dada, emphasised the urgency of collective action: "With recent reports indicating that 133 million Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty, access to basic healthcare remains a nightmare for many. This prompted us to collaborate with HEI, whose credibility and impact in supporting vulnerable patients were highly recommended by public hospitals."
She urged other corporate organizations and individuals to join the cause, recognizing HEI's impeccable track record over the past decade.
HEI's Executive Director, Mr. Paschal Achunine, expressed gratitude to Pillar Initiatives for their unwavering commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians. He also called on more corporate organizations to partner with HEI, noting that addressing the healthcare crisis requires collaborative and sustained efforts.