Nigeria is in great need of good healthcare. There are some hospitals that offer good healthcare to those who are able to afford it. But most of those who are poor (which makes up over half of the population) are in need of some of the most basic medical assistance. Many people, including many children, die of illnesses that should be able to be cured with the right medicine and medical supplies. Though hospital administrators, doctors, nurses, technicians and pastoral workers in Nigeria are very dedicated to their work, most clinics and hospitals lack the basic necessities to fulfill their mission.
The Catholic Diocese of Ikot Ekpene operates the four healthcare institutions listed below as part of its mission. Though these institutions are open to all Nigerians, they are especially committed to the service of the poor as part of their charitable outreach.
How You Can Help:
- Used medical equipment—If you or someone you know works at a hospital in the U.S., and if you are planning on updating any of your medical equipment, we would love to receive the donation of your used and working equipment. The four mission hospitals in the Diocese of Ikot Ekpene would benefit from almost any kind of usable equipment. Donated equipment will be shipped to Nigeria through the U.S. Missions Office. Medical equipment most in need includes: Scanning machine, x-ray machine, electrolytes analyzer, electrophoretic machine, chemistry analyzer, incubator, operating table, operating lights, sanitizing machine, other general medical utensils for surgery and medical supplies. This list is not exhaustive. Please contact the Missions Office for more details or with any questions.
- Subsidize a monthly medical outreach and medication to the impoverished villages —Many people living in rural villages do not travel to the mission hospitals when they or their children are ill, because they do not have money for medication and services. As a result, many people remain untreated and death is not uncommon from illnesses that could otherwise be treated. To assist the poor in the villages, the Catholic hospitals of the Diocese each regularly send a medical team made up of 1-2 doctor(s), 3-4 nurses, a pharmacist and a lab technician to offer free healthcare and medication. If you would like to sponsor one day of outreach by a medical team as well as the medication distributed for free, the estimated average daily cost is about $1,000. Sponsoring all or part of a day of rural outreach will provide essential medical attention and medication to as many as 50 villagers per day. Many of these villagers are children and elderly.
- Learn more about our hospitals:
DIOCESAN HEALTH INSTITUTIONS
- St. Mary Hospital, Urua Akpan
- Mercy Hospital and Mercy Eye Centre, Abak
- Divine Love Hospital, Utu Etim Ekpo
- Redeemer Cottage Hospital, Ibesit, Oruk Anam