Guardian

MEMBERS of the Rotary Club of Gbagada under the leadership of President Olubayo Adesola Windapo recently extended the joy of Christmas to in-patients of Gbagada General Hospital.

This year’s visitation by the club could be described as unprecedented as the visitors, joined by their hosts, danced from ward to ward, lifting the spirits of in-patients and distributed gifts to all of them.  It was a memorable scene as the patients, full of joy, received the visitors and expressed appreciation for being worthy of sharing in the joy of Christmas with them.   Some of the patients found it difficult lift up themselves from the bed but sang and danced while some broke down in tears and were comforted by members of the club.

Ten-year-old Tamilore Rotimi, who suffered burns, drew the attention of Windapo who encouraged him, shared with him the joy of Christmas and assured him of quick recovery.

Isolation Ward for pre-mature babies was not left out as the President led his team to share the joy of the moment with the babies, whose gesture was lauded by Mrs. Abosede Ajiboye, who had her baby in the incubator.

Windapo expressed great happiness for fulfilling the 2012 Christmas visit to the in-patients of Gbagada General Hospital, which according to him, had  become a tradition.

“Here we are at the Children Ward and it is a good reminiscence that the building over there was built and donated by the Rotary Club in 1992.  Every year, we come here to celebrate Christmas with in-patients while we also donate at the same time and this year will not be an exception.

“We are today, donating a resusciteer, otherwise known as a facilitator, a machine attached to oxygen to resuscitate babies.

“We also have our younger generation, Rotaract that are also here to donate insecticide treated nets.

“We have come to lift up the spirits of in-patients and are happy to see some of them danced despite the pains they are going through.

The Acting Medical Director, Gbagada General Hospital, Dr. Ajibola Keshinro lauded the club for its generosity.

“Rotary Club has made an indelible mark in this hospital that cannot be forgotten.  Even if the structure put up by the Rotary were to be pulled down in the course of renovation, Rotary Club’s contributions to this hospital can never be eroded,” he assured.

Dr. Olumide Sojinrin, who represented the  Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Lagos State,  gave kudos to the club  for its kind gesture.

“As we move from hospital to hospital, your mark is found everywhere and I can only encourage you to keep it up,” he said. The Apex Nurse of the hospital, Mrs. Rachael Oyaide, described the club’s activities in the hospital as “magnanimous.”

“We appreciate the gift of this resusciteer but the hospital needs more incubators,” she said.

Meanwhile, Children Ward received the trophy and reward as the best ward.