Abuja, Nigeria
The Board of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (“NSIA”) announces the donation of 126 units of Patient Monitors and 63 units of Oxygen Concentrators to 21 Healthcare Institutions across the 6 geopolitical zones of the country. In a bid to support the containment of the recent surge in the reported cases of Covid-19 infections in Nigeria and the significant impact this development may have on the economy, the NSIA is donating vital Covid-19 relief equipment to augment the Federal Government’s ongoing effort to enhance clinical care available to Covid-19 patients and to add to the stock of critical medical equipment needed in hospitals across the country.
The Board of NSIA is hopeful that this modest contribution will go a long way toward supporting the management of Covid-19 cases and enhancing the efforts of the frontline responders in providing care and treatment to people already infected with the virus.
The handover ceremony which took place virtually on Thursday, January 28, 2021, had in attendance, Mr. Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman, Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 who served as Chief Host of the event; Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, the Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning; Dr. Osagie Emmanuel Ehanire, the Hon. Minister of Health; and Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, (DG NCDC), as well as the Board and Management team of the NSIA.
COMMENTS
Speaking at the event, Mr. Boss Mustapha, SGF and Chairman, PTF Covid-19 said “Government is constantly reviewing its containment strategy for Covid-19 as well as the necessary policies to augment our efforts. Amongst other things, we recently issued the Coronavirus Disease Health Protection Regulation of 2021 which was signed by President Muhammadu Buhari on January 26 as a non-pharmaceutical measure to curb the disease. This executive order mandates the wearing of masks in public places and on federal government property. We know that our nation is at war with this pervasive enemy and we will ensure that the virus will not spread further. We will not rest until the battle against the pandemic is won. NSIA’s provision of some equipment is a welcome development. It could not have come at a better time.”
In his comments, the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, commended the NSIA for its intervention in the healthcare space with the creation of a Cancer Centre in Lagos and diagnostic centres in Umuahia and Kano, respectively. He added that “the nation’s healthcare system is not where the government wants it to be, the NSIA model in the healthcare sector would help the country have a good health care system.” The Health Minister described the equipment by the NSIA as “commendable” as it would help to scale up government’s response to the Covid-19 fight.
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, said that “since the outbreak of the pandemic, the Federal Government has been coming up with policy measures to cushion the negative impact of the pandemic on the economy. Importantly, the Federal Government has adjusted the 2021 budget to boost funding for the health care sector, noting that currently, work is ongoing to raise funds to acquire Covid-19 vaccines for Nigerians.
In his remarks while presenting the equipment to the receiving medical institutions, Mr. Jide Zeitlin, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the NSIA said “Our decision to support key medical institutions with the Covid-19 relief equipment being donated is evidence that we are taking pragmatic steps towards ensuring that the needful is done to fill the voids in the healthcare space and make working conditions a bit more agreeable. Thousands of these equipment are needed and much more. So, we are providing these few items as seeds in the hope that others will be inspired by our benevolence.”
“With the nation’s economy still in recovery, and medical facilities in need of additional government support to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 virus, the Board felt the need to add to this stock of critical medical Covid-19 relief equipment required for the containment of the virus in Nigeria. The supply of oxygen concentrators and patient monitors – a gap identified during the first wave – is expected to boost Government’s efforts to provide an efficient and effective healthcare response for those affected by the virus. We expect that the equipment would strengthen government’s capacity to minimize potential fatalities.” said, Uche Orji, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, NSIA.
About NSIA
An Act of Nigeria’s National Assembly, (the NSIA Act), established the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) in 2011. The objective of the NSIA is to promote fiscal stability, build a savings base for future generations of Nigerians and enhance the development of Nigeria’s infrastructure. The NSIA’s investments are made through three distinct funds: The Stabilization Fund, the Future Generations Fund, and the Nigeria Infrastructure Fund. This investment is made under the Nigeria Infrastructure Fund. The Nigeria Infrastructure Fund aims to invest in infrastructure projects in Nigeria that meet our targeted financial returns and contribute to the development of essential infrastructure in Nigeria. NSIA’s investments in healthcare are undertaken within the Nigeria Infrastructure Fund and remains one of the four areas of focus for the Authority’s investment strategy.
For more information, visit the NSIA’s website at www.nsia.com.ng.
