Lagos: A non-governmental organisation, the Joyce Ojemudia Foundation (JOF), says there is an urgent need for functional medical equipment in public hospitals to manage neonatal challenges and reduce cases of neonatal mortality in the country. Ms. Joyce Ojemudia, Founder of the foundation, made the assertion in a statement on Monday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the organisation plans to unveil its operations in Lagos, focusing on addressing neonatal mortality and infertility challenges in Nigeria. The unveiling will spotlight the foundation’s expanded vision to support vulnerable families and improve access to critical healthcare services. This initiative stems from Ojemudia’s personal experience with years of infertility challenges, which included multiple medical procedures and pregnancy losses, ultimately transforming her journey into an advocacy platform.
Ojemudia highlighted the foundation’s intervention in 2015, which provided urgent neonatal support, including access to an incubator for a premature baby. This intervention underscored the critical need for functional medical equipment in public hospitals. Inadequate neonatal facilities, particularly incubators for premature babies, have been identified as a significant gap contributing to infant mortality in the country.
The unveiling event is intended as a call to action for stakeholders, including corporate organisations, healthcare professionals, government representatives, non-governmental organisations, and the media, to collaborate in addressing these challenges. The foundation’s programmes will target public hospitals lacking essential neonatal equipment, premature babies in need of advanced care, couples facing infertility, and vulnerable children requiring educational support.
Ojemudia emphasised the organisation’s commitment to providing practical medical assistance, supporting affected families, and building partnerships to scale impact nationwide.