*Inaugurates dialysis centre to immortalise Dada
As part of efforts to treat all kidney diseases, stem medical tourism and conserve scarce foreign exchange, the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and partnership with Lions Club International have inaugurated a dialysis centre.

Chairman, LUTH Management Board, Alhaji Isa Bello Sali, at the foundation laying ceremony of a 36-bed dialysis centre in the hospital, said the event which signposts a major shift in the fortunes of LUTH, amounts to a short in the arm for the managers of the 57-year-old institution.

Sali said: “This is an epoch-making event. It is significant to us as the beginning of the resurgence in philanthropic activities for good cause. It is the beginning of moving LUTH forward, providing quality service and stemming the tide of medical tourism which has drained our scarce foreign reserves.”

The new dialysis centre is a donation by Lions Club International, District 404 A1, Nigeria. It is dedicated to the memory of its former district governor, Lion Isaac Olusola Dada who passed on July 12, 2017. He actually conceived the facility as his pet project when the mantle of leadership fell on him.

Chief Omolola Dada, widow of the past governor, said the project valued at N210 million, will house 36 dialysis machines, and help prevent deaths from renal failure. She expressed regret that her husband could not see through the project before his demise. “As he was preparing for his tenure as District Governor 2017/2018, a needs assessment revealed the absence of a fully functional dialysis centre in LUTH. Chief knew that as the foremost referral hospital in the country, countless people looked up to the hospital as their last resort for affordable care,” she said.

The Lions Club International Foundation, represented by its chairperson, Dr. Naresh Aggarwal, supported the project with $100,000. Dr. Aggarwal urged rich Nigerians to support the prompt completion of the project, which he described as “leaving a mark and a legacy for humanity.”Guest of Honour, Chief Tunde Afolabi, described as a great pillar for the project, asked every one present to support the quick completion and furnishing of the centre, which promises to help prevent many avoidable deaths.

He is believed to have given a hefty sum for the project.Chief Medical Director of LUTH, Prof. Chris Bode, who represented the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, recalled fond memories of Chief Dada and his passion for helping the indigent to receive prompt and quality healthcare.

He disclosed that the hospital, which began offering dialysis care in 1984, could treat 600 patients monthly in the past. He also expressed regret on the decline in service and promised that the gesture of the Lions Club will boost service delivery and bridge the gap in the provision of critical care to an estimated 20 million people resident in Lagos State alone.

“We appeal to all like-minded organizations to assist LUTH. The late Chief Isaac Olusola Dada renal dialysis centre will be one of the largest in the country for modern renal dialysis. We will ensure that the cost is affordable even as we go cap-in-hand seeking more interventions.”

Chief Dada had proposed to build a dialysis centre at LUTH as his legacy project during his tenure as district governor. In fact, he had a positive discussion with the hospital management before his demise. His wife and children with the support of the Lions Club and friends picked the gauntlet and organized a fundraiser in November 2017 in Lagos.

The project concept and design have been reviewed and is expected to come on stream within a year.The foundation laying ceremony was witnessed by a large number of Lion Club members, members of LUTH management board and the family of late Chief Dada. Lion Isaac Olusola Dada died on July 16, 2017 at Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on his way from the Lions Clubs International Convention Chicago, United States (U.S.), where he was sworn in as District Governor, Lions District 404A1, Nigeria.