By Sani Gazas Chinade, Damaturu
The Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Yobe State Council, has donated cash assistance to 40 vulnerable patients at the Yobe State Specialist Hospital and the Women and Children Hospital in Damaturu to help ease their medical expenses.
The gesture is part of the chapel’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative aimed at supporting vulnerable patients and giving back to society.
Speaking during the outreach, the Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Nabilu Balarabe, said journalism is not only about holding government accountable but also about making a positive impact on the lives of the less privileged.
According to him, the chapel considered it necessary to embark on the humanitarian project as part of its commitment to community development and social responsibility.
Balarabe reaffirmed the chapel’s commitment to championing the cause of vulnerable members of society, pledging to make the cash support programme a quarterly initiative.
He disclosed that about 40 beneficiaries received the financial assistance across the two health facilities and called on associations, organisations, and philanthropists to emulate the Correspondents’ Chapel by supporting vulnerable patients in hospitals.
In their separate remarks, the Chief Medical Director of the Yobe State Specialist Hospital, Professor Usman Abba, represented by the Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee, Dr. Muhammad Aji, and the Principal Medical Officer in charge of the Women and Children Hospital, Dr. Babagana Alhaji Kolo, commended the Correspondents’ Chapel for translating its words into action.
They also praised the cordial working relationship between the chapel and the management of both hospitals.
According to them, the cash support is a life-changing initiative that will not only assist patients financially but also provide a significant psychological and emotional boost during their treatment.
They appealed to other unions, organisations, and well-meaning individuals to support vulnerable patients, especially in view of the current economic challenges and the increasing number of patients requiring treatment for malaria, blood transfusions, and other medical conditions.
Some of the beneficiaries, including Halima Ibrahim, Amina Muhammad, Abubakar Musa, and Bello Kawuwa, expressed appreciation to the Correspondents’ Chapel, saying the intervention would go a long way in helping them meet their medical expenses amid the prevailing economic hardship.
