The Leprosy Mission Nigeria (TLMN) has donated 25 electronic motorized beds to the Niger Leprosy Hospital in Minna as part of efforts to ease the treatment and recovery of leprosy patients.
The Operations Manager of TLMN, Mr. Pius Ogbu, who presented the donation to the Niger State Government on Thursday, said the beds were provided as support from the Leprosy Mission, Switzerland.
Ogbu said: “We received 25 electronic motorized beds, 25 bed sheets, 25 pillows, and 25 pillow cases today to support the Leprosy Hospital in Minna.
“With these electronic motorised beds, patients can now adjust them to suit their comfort. We have no doubt that the beds will help patients get good sleep and recover more quickly.”
He further stated that TLMN actively operates in Niger State, providing free treatment, rehabilitation, vocational training, and focusing on eradicating stigma associated with the disease.
“The mission provides orthopaedic devices and empowers affected individuals,” he added.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Murtala Bagana, said that under Gov. Muhammad Bago’s “New Niger Agenda,” the government motorized the treatment of people with tropical diseases.
“Niger Government is happy to receive this consignment, and we will ensure we complement the efforts of TLMN by upgrading the Leprosy Hospital and providing necessary commodities for patient upkeep.
“The government will ensure that a consultant is deployed to the hospital to facilitate necessary treatments for patients,” Bagana said.
During an interaction, some patients commended TLMN for the kind gesture and urged Gov. Bago to prioritize the hospital by providing more medical commodities and upgrading its infrastructure.
Mr. David Felix appealed to the state government to provide additional drugs and other commodities to augment the mission’s efforts.
Felix, who had his leg amputated due to an ulcer, said: “If I were not here, I wouldn’t have gotten this artificial limb.
“I’m also happy for this adjustable bed because I no longer need to disturb any worker to help me adjust it while sleeping.”
