CSR:NOVA Merchant Bank Saves Live Of 50 Child Patients Through Paediatric Intervention In Lagos State

By Lateef Adegbite

Those which thinks that the execution of Corporate Social responsibility, CSR, projects is the exclusive responsibility of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, under the close watch of Bashir Jamoh, OFR, the Nigerian Petroleum Company Limited, NPCL, and other government agencies may have to do a rethink.

This is because private organisations, who established factories and others running one type of business or the other in the state appears to have heeded the calls of Babajide Sanwo -Olu, the Lagos state governor appeal to contribute to the development of the state.

 This may have informed why NOVA Merchant Bank, one of the leading Merchant Banks in Nigeria, offering an integrated suit of financial solutions , encompassing  financial intermediation , wholesale and investment  banking Asset and securities management , trade services, cash management , Transaction and Digital banking, recently ‘’sponsored a Paediatric Surgical Intervention in the state as part of its 2023 Environmental, Social and Governance, ESG, believed to be within its ‘’ UPLIFT initiative project’’.

The NOVA Merchant Bank UPLIFTs Initiative Project, according to an insider which was said to have been introduced in Lagos in partnership with the Association of Paediatric Surgeons of Nigeria, APSON and Lagos state which was said to have impacted positively on the lives of 50 indigent child patients at Lagos state Teaching Hospital, LASUT, on Monday, September 18, 2023 hit the ground running in the state.

APSON, is ambarella body of all Paediatric Surgeons in Nigeria, according to a NOVA Merchant source engaged in the operation of surgical issues in children, education and training of specialists in surgery and the enhancement and preservation of the high standards and surgical care provided to children over the years across the 36 states of the Federation and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

This collaboration, the source explained exemplifies the bank commitment to community development projects and its dedication to impacting lives through its UPLIFT initiative projects aimed at creating ‘’Today’s solution to tomorrows sustainability’’ and the need for other Merchant Banks including Commercial Banks and Corporate Organisations to take a cue from the NOVA bold initiative.

Nath Ude: MD, NOVA Merchant Bank

Given an insider information, Nath Ude, Managing Director, NOVA Merchant Bank, disclosed that ‘’the motivation behind the bank’s intervention on the APSON project was because ‘’the bank envisions a future in which millions of children all over Nigeria would have free and low -cost access to healthcare facilities and where unnecessary pains caused by preventable diseases and untimely fatalities can be mitigated’’.  

This intervention, the NOVA bank, Chief Executive Officer, CEO, had said ‘’is a stride towards achieving this vision of free or low-cost access to health care facilities’’ in the country.  He asserted that ‘’no child born in the most populous country of the African Continent should be deprived of their promising future due to lack of healthcare accessibility’’. He noted that ‘’the impact of the NOVA UPLIFT Projects initiative will echo through lifetimes ‘’.

Roland Osuoji, a Professor and President of APSON, while emphasizing the pivotal role of NOVA Merchant bank intervention ‘’to save lives of children between the ages  0-12 through paediatric surgical  operations , particular, in Lagos state over the years at heavily subsidized cost ,’’ it has  resulted in a growing  waiting  list stretching  until 2025’’.

An elated Prof. Osuoji, confirmed that the NOVA Merchant bank UPLIFT projects initiative had succeeded in reducing the backlog of indigent children who have no access to free or low-cost health care facilities in Lagos state to do so and also save lives and offer hopes to these deserving families.

Omalara Williams, a Paediatrician, and the local Organizing Committee Chairperson of’’ the outreach’’ who was said to have commented on the selection process revealed that they will first survey a group of patients from their data base which will pinpoint those who are yet to be attended to and are on the waiting list due to financial constraints.

The Paediatrician disclosed that they also make efforts’’ to contact as many of them as possible and to prepare their mind for the surgery once funds are made available to the Association from donor Organisations.It is not surprising why the Association now have patients ranging from 11-14 years-old who are yet to receive treatment over their Paediatric conditions through NOVA bank UPLIFT intervention.

Omalara, the APSON, Local Organising Committee outreach Chairperson   has emphasized ‘’the need for continued  regional  and national initiatives like NOVA Merchant bank UPLIFTs Projects initiative  to bridge  the gap in paediatric  surgical care accessibility.  

Prof.Adetokunbo .O. Fabanwo, LASUTH Chief Medical Director,  while expressing appreciation to the Management of NOVA Merchant  for the initiative and its collaboration with APSON  averred that ‘’it reflects a shared vison  of a healthier  and brighter  future for Nigerian children , noting that  ‘’this meaningful  impact  is not just mending bodies  but also building dreams’’.            

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