First Love USA’s mission to Nigeria an overwhelming success
On August 19, 2009 a team of medical professionals concerned about the nearly 13.2 million African Children infected with or orphaned by HIV/AIDS and other life threatening diseases boarded a Delta Flight to Abuja Nigeria in route to Enugu State for a 12 day pediatric medical mission. The team of ten consisting mostly of employees from Nationwide Children’s Hospital was united in one purpose and passion. They wanted to provide free medicine, medical care and support for the countless children made homeless by disease, poverty and neglect in a region of the world where infant mortality rates are high. Enugu State is located in East Nigeria and has a population of about 5.6 million people.
The mission team was lead by Nigerian native, Father Barry Chu Eneh, Founder of First Love and Chaplain at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Dr. Stephen Welty, Chief of Neonatology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital served as the Medical Director. Other team members making the trip included Kimberly Regis, Certified Nurse Practitioner, Meredith Haynes, Pediatric Nurse, Jamie Barrie, Microbiologist, Patti Von Ville, retired Public Health Nurse, Patricia Gruber, Pediatric Nurse, Cheryl Lovely, Sponsored Projects Officer, Joe Banks, Photographer and Holly Welty, Creative Designer.
First Love USA along with its organizing committee in Nigeria represented by Nkemakonam Enenwali, Ejike Eneh and Felix Chukwu worked in partnership with Nigeria’s health care agencies to plan, promote and execute all mission activities. Medical services were delivered to infants and children through five clinic locations serving the needs of disadvantaged children. The sites included the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Mother of Christ Maternity Hospital, Annunciation Hospital, Park Lane Hospital and Udi General Hospital.
While in Enugu, the mission team dispensed of 500 pounds of free medicine, served approximately 600 patients and put in 60 hours of clinic time in five days. The most common illnesses treated and or referred for care included respiratory distress, malnutrition, infectious diseases, malaria, and HIV/AIDS. Though much was accomplished, there were challenges. The health care system in Enugu generally lacked modern medical equipment and the training resources needed to provide a standard of patient care. This reality however, did not stop the mission team from completing the task at hand. They worked tirelessly to alleviate suffering and pain and to bring hope to children lacking access to affordable health care.
For their effort, the mission team from Ohio was well received by the Executive Governor of Enugu State-His Excellency Barrister Sullivan Chime, the honorable Health Commissioner, Dr. Uzo Uzochukwu, the traditional ruler Iwwe Nnaji, and the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, the Most Rev. Dr. C.V.C. Onaga. When asked whether she thought the mission trip was a success, one team member said"The service of bringing light to a troubled world must never end… ask me again next year”. To view pictures of the 2009 medical mission or to find out about the 2010 mission to Nigeria, log on to www.firstloveinc.org |