By Awwal Umar Kontagora The Niger State Government has received spirometer devices from Project HOPE, a global health organizati...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
The Niger State Government has received spirometer devices from Project HOPE, a global health organization, to strengthen the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases such as tuberculosis, asthma, and pneumonia.
The donation was formally presented to the State Commissioner for Secondary and Tertiary Health, Dr. Bello Tukur, during a handover event aimed at boosting respiratory healthcare services in the state.
Project HOPE, which began operations in Nigeria in 2012, focuses on infectious diseases—particularly HIV/AIDS—as well as reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH), mental health, and the health needs of vulnerable populations, including women, adolescents, and children. The organization also supports broader health system strengthening.
Presenting the devices on behalf of the organization, the Country Director of Project HOPE, Costa Atori, said the spirometers will significantly enhance healthcare outcomes for patients suffering from respiratory conditions. He noted that timely diagnosis and proper monitoring are key to managing these diseases effectively.
Earlier, the Program Manager of Project HOPE, Kenneth Ojobor, presented a baseline report that highlighted the challenges faced by vulnerable patients in accessing healthcare services. The report revealed gaps in respiratory disease diagnosis and treatment across rural communities.
As part of a pilot phase, the spirometer devices were tested in 15 health facilities across three local government areas—Suleja, Gurara, and Paikoro—with five facilities in each LGA. The project recorded treatment of 82 tuberculosis cases, 123 asthma cases, and 296 pneumonia cases across 14 facilities.
Project HOPE recommended that the Niger State Government invest in building the capacity of healthcare workers to effectively use the spirometers and ensure wider patient reach. The organization also emphasized the importance of integrating the technology into the state’s healthcare infrastructure to support long-term improvements in respiratory disease management.
The donation forms part of Project HOPE’s broader commitment to enhancing healthcare delivery and supporting Nigeria’s efforts to reduce the burden of preventable diseases.
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