Members of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, Gombe State branch, have extended support to patients, particularly women and children, at the Zainab Bulkachuwa Women and Children Hospital in Gombe as part of activities marking this year’s International Women’s Day.
PUNCH Healthwise reports that the outreach formed part of FIDA’s activities to commemorate International Women’s Day, which celebrates the achievements of women and advocates for greater support and opportunities for women and girls worldwide.
The lawyers, led on Saturday by the Chairperson of FIDA Gombe branch, Barrister Talatu Abubakar, visited the facility where they distributed food items and other palliatives to patients admitted in the hospital.
Abubakar said the visit was aimed at celebrating International Women’s Day with patients and reminding them that they are not alone in their struggles.
“We are here to celebrate the International Women’s Day together with the patients, the women in Zainab Bulkachuwa Specialist Hospital, to let them understand that they are not forgotten,” she said.
“We hope and pray that in no distant time they will be discharged from the hospital. We want them to know that they have the support of other women out there.”
Speaking on the items distributed, Abubakar explained that the association provided basic food items and tokens to support the patients.
“We extended a little support to them. We gave them rice, sugar, orange and a little token,” she added.
On why the hospital was selected for the outreach, Abubakar noted that the facility’s focus on women and children made it a fitting choice for the celebration.
“This facility is our target because it is International Women’s Day and this is a hospital for women and children. We call on all organisations to come and rally with women and support women wherever they are,” she said.
The Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Obong Peter, described the visit as historic and commended the lawyers for identifying with patients at the facility.
“Our hospital was named after a great woman, Zainab Bulkachuwa, who made a name in the legal frontiers of Nigeria. To have lawyers support women on International Women’s Day is not coincidental, but I think it is historic. So I really appreciate this,” he said.
Peter also emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between government institutions and private organisations in the health sector.
“Secondly, healthcare is not a government thing alone. There must be a private and public partnership to get it right. So when organisations like this come in to see our patients, it actually makes us happy, even those who take care of them.
“It shows them and shows us that people care. So this is a very good step in the right direction, and we are very grateful as a hospital,” he added.
Also speaking, Barrister Mwalin Naomi-Abdu reiterated FIDA’s commitment to the protection and welfare of women and children.
“Our organisation protects women and children. This is why we are here to check their well-being. Recall that the hospital was christened after a reputable former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa,” she said.
She further urged parents to prioritise the education of their daughters, noting that education remains a key tool for empowering girls and protecting their future.
“Parents should not hinder girls from going to school. Educating the girl-child is very important because it empowers them and enables them to contribute meaningfully to society,” she added.
Barrister Ramatu Ibrahim-Hassan explained that the group chose the hospital after hearing about the quality of care provided to women and children at the facility.
“We have heard a lot about this hospital in taking care of children and women. That is why we have chosen to carry out this distribution here to support the patients,” she said.
A staff member of the facility, Mrs Florence Emmanuel, lauded the gesture, noting that the items would provide relief to many vulnerable patients receiving treatment at the hospital.
“Palliative will help a lot, especially for the sick and vulnerable. We are very thankful. The beautiful part is that they came when people are in need,” she said.
