05 July, 2925
The Well Being Foundation Africa (WBFA) has extended financial support of N500,000 to Mrs. Fatimoh Akewushola, a mother of preterm twins receiving treatment at the Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (KWASUTH).
During a cheque presentation held on Friday in Ilorin, the WBFA National Programme Manager, Mr. Kehinde Akinsola, said the donation was part of the foundation’s MamaCare 360 NICU+ programme aimed at supporting vulnerable mothers and newborns.
Mr. Akinsola explained that the assistance followed a request from Mrs. Akewushola, whose babies were undergoing treatment for jaundice and other complications. Investigations revealed that she is hepatitis B positive, which caused a delay in the twins receiving a critical haemoglobin injection.
“We discovered the babies could not get the required injection until after 72 hours instead of the recommended 24. The mother already had a bill of N368,000, so we decided to round it up to N500,000 to help ease the burden,” he said.
He added that due to the mother’s inability to lactate, the babies were dependent on infant formula, which costs N19,000 per tin and lasts only three days—further adding to the family’s financial pressure.
Mrs. Seun Bamikole, Head of NICU at KWASUTH, commended WBFA for its continuous support through the MamaCare programme, noting that the foundation had donated breast pumps and conducted regular health education sessions for pregnant and nursing mothers.
“The breast pumps have been a major boost, especially for mothers with low milk production. We’ve also observed a shift in preference from formula to breast milk among mothers,” she said.
Miss Elizabeth Ebo, WBFA Data Assistant for the NICU+ programme, said the initiative has significantly improved recovery rates, with earlier discharge of babies due to better access to breast milk.
“For mothers struggling with breastfeeding, the breast pumps help them express milk, and this has led to healthier babies and faster discharges,” she added.
Established in 2004, WBFA is a non-governmental organisation committed to promoting health, wellbeing, and sustainable development across Nigeria and the African continent.
