Foundation Donates Oxygen Cylinders To National Hospital

Amid ongoing challenges with oxygen supply and rising pressure on public healthcare facilities, the SAM Empowerment Foundation has donated oxygen cylinders to the National Hospital, Abuja and settled the bills for indigent patients at the facility.

The donation, made over the weekend under the Foundation’s Breath for Life Project, included 10 oxygen cylinders, payment of outstanding hospital bills for vulnerable in-patients and distribution of support items to some patients.

The management said the intervention was timely, as it came when the National Hospital was facing difficulties with its oxygen plant and had been forced to source oxygen externally to meet patient needs.

During the visit, the Chief Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) of the hospital, Dr Isiaka Lawal, who represented the chief medical director (CMD), Prof. Muhammad Raji Mahmud, said oxygen remains critical to patient survival, particularly for emergency and critically ill cases.

“Oxygen is life. Many of our patients cannot even afford basic medications, not to mention oxygen. This donation is a major relief at a very critical time,” Lawal said.

He added that support from individuals and organisations had become increasingly important in sustaining healthcare delivery, especially for indigent patients.

The founder and president of the SAM Empowerment Foundation, Dr Aisha Achimugu, said the initiative was aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery and supporting vulnerable Nigerians who are often unable to access lifesaving care.

She said the foundation is committed to donating 10 oxygen cylinders monthly to the National Hospital, Abuja, as part of its support for the health sector.

Achimugu commended the hospital management for being receptive to partnerships that directly benefit patients, noting that meaningful impact requires both willingness to give and readiness to receive support.