The TY Danjuma Foundation has commissioned the Kuru Danjuma Hospital for Children (KDHC) which is designed to be a trailblazer state of the arts pediatric facility that provides world-class and affordable healthcare services centered on health promotion, disease prevention, and quality treatment. The commissioning was performed by the Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire in the presence of the chairman of the Foundation, the Executive Governor of Taraba state, and other important dignitaries from the state and beyond.
The Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire in the presence of the chairman of the Foundation, and the Executive Governor of Taraba State at the commissioning
Though the commissioning occurred on November 30, 2021, Lt. Gen. TY Danjuma (Rtd) noted that the hospital opened its doors to the public on March 1, 2021, and has been providing quality and affordable pediatric healthcare services to the people of Takum in Taraba state and its environs.
Nigeria Demographic Health Survey (NDHS, 2018) puts the under-five mortality rate in Nigeria at 132 per 1,000 live births meaning that more than 1 in 8 Nigerian children dies before their 5th birthday. Infant deaths, which account for half of the child mortality are currently at 67 per 1000 live births in Nigeria. Under-five mortality rate and infant mortality rate in Taraba state stand at 129 per 1,000 live births and 63 per 1000 live births respectively which is still very high.
Although investments in child health have been high in recent years and progress has been made to improve the poor indices on child health, the proportion of children who are able to access appropriate healthcare remains low due to a lack of access to quality health services. According to the World Health Organization, problems such as cost of treatment, the deplorable state of health facilities, lack of awareness and knowledge for informed decisions making, distance to health facilities, and poor referral systems are some of the major difficulties associated with accessing healthcare. Hence, the need for continued investments to create opportunities for people at the grassroots to have access to quality healthcare services.
The Kuru Danjuma Hospital for Children (KDHC) and the Rufkatu Danjuma Maternity (RDM) which was commissioned in 2017 to provide enhanced service delivery of maternal and perinatal healthcare in Takum and surrounding communities are some of the ways through which the TY Danjuma Foundation is creating opportunities for people at the grassroots to access quality and affordable healthcare services.
Since opening its doors in 2017, the Rufkatu Danjuma Maternity has provided quality and affordable health services to over 14,000 patients. Similarly, the KDHC has already provided life-saving services to hundreds of children in and around Takum.
A Ward in the Kuru Danjuma Hospital for Children
The establishment of the Kuru Danjuma Hospital for Children in addition to the Rufkatu Danjuma Maternity is in sync with the Foundation’s signature programme on maternal and child health – “Healthy Mother Healthy Child”- aimed at supporting the implementation of evidence-based, innovative, high-quality, and sustainable interventions that ensure every mother can experience a healthy pregnancy and childbirth; and every child can thrive and realise their full potential.
Since its inception, the TY Danjuma Foundation has supported organisations to implement 336 life-touching projects across 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory.