Following the recent inauguration of the Mobile Blood Van donated to the Department of Heamatology by Safe Blood Africa (USA), to aid all form of services rendered and associated with blood transfusion and blood drive, more medical equipment have also been inaugurated by the chairman Board of Management University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, UUTH, to this regard.
The Head of Heamatology Department, Dr. Mabel Ekanem noted during the inauguration that the equipment donated, came from Blood Source, Sacramento in Northern California and Community Blood Bank Ureca, who have been partnering with the Department of Heamatology since 2011.
Among the medical equipment donated include, two big refrigerated centrifuges, Mobile Couches, Table Centrifuges, Bact culture bottles etc. she stated that this equipment were shipped from the United States of America but was cleared and paid for by the management of the hospital.
A renowned Professor and Consultant of Heamatology, Professor Etim Essien in a brief statement noted that such equipment was needed to keep the hospital running effectively. According to him, such equipment donated is found in American blood banks and centres as well as the University College Hospital Ibadan. He thanked the donors with a promise that the equipment would be used to safe lives.
In his address, the Chief Medical Director, Professor Etete Peters thanked Professor Etim Essien and his team for a job well done. Professor Peters noted that the equipment being inaugurated was a reward of their labour. He enjoined other Departments to emulate the hardwork Heamatology department is putting in, as Government alone cannot do all. He gave the assurance of management efforts to keep up the good work, and make the hospital one of the best medical tourist centres in the nation.
The Board Chairman Chief Iritioluwa Onyinide thanked management and staff for their commitments and sacrifice made for the good of the hospital. He said that he was happy whenever he read about the achievement of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in the news. He also implored other departments to take after the Department of Heamatology as all effort put in is to the benefit of Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria as a whole. He stated also that the equipment would aid continuation of the availability of Safe Blood Transfusion.
