The remaining patients in some hospitals in Jos recovering from the tragic collapse of the Saints Academy two-storey building located at Busa-Buji community of Jos North Local Government Area have received a glimmer of hope as the Abuja-based Ike Odoeme Foundation visited them today in Jos.
The collapse which claimed over 20 lives and injured many more, has left the community in mourning and in need of support.
During their visit, the Foundation’s Programs officer, Suzie Agas, led a team to meet with 11 patients across different hospitals, including the Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Our Lady of Apostles Hospital (OLA), and the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH). Each patient received N50,000 along with words of encouragement for their guardians.
Agas emphasized the Foundation’s mission to improve the quality of life for young children, women, and the elderly. “Our visit is more than just to sympathize. We felt it was necessary to hold relevant stakeholders accountable and ensure such a similar tragedy does not occur again.
“We have provided support, but we plan to return to monitor the recovery of those in critical condition, especially those with severe injuries like spinal cord damage and fractures.”
Highlighting the Foundation’s focus on creating safe spaces for school children, Agas stated, “Children should not go to school and come back with injuries or in body bags. Improving their quality of life is a key objective for us. We noticed the high number of students at the school, likely due to the lack of public schools in the area. We are looking into interventions to ensure these students continue their education despite the school’s closure.”
Dr. Pokop W. Bupwatda, Chief Medical Director of JUTH, represented by Dr. Njam Maina, expressed gratitude for the foundation’s visit. “Since this unfortunate event, many groups have come to support us. The most critical cases were brought to JUTH, and we have about seven patients still undergoing treatment. The support from various groups has significantly aided their recovery. We welcome and appreciate the Ike Odoeme Foundation’s visit, as it strengthens our staff’s efforts in caring for the injured.” The CMD said
At OLA Hospital, Melodi Kaye, head of human resources, reported, “We initially received 32 victims, including five who were brought in dead. Six were treated and discharged the same day, while 21 were hospitalized with varying degrees of injuries. We currently have only three patients. The support from NGOs like the Ike Odoeme Foundation is commendable and greatly appreciated by the victims and the hospital staff.”
The various patients were children from the collapsed Saints Academy from JSS 1 to SS1. The parents and guardians who were met by the team expressed appreciation for the support from the foundation. The Ike Odoeme Foundation’s visit has brought much-needed relief and hope to the injured students and their families, highlighting the importance of community support in times of crisis.
