News

St. Joseph’s/Candler has committed more than $100,000 in medical equipment to help build a dedicated cardiac care clinic being created by Dr. Eugene Nwosu.

The clinic will expand on the Goodness & Favour Medical Centre in Ajalli, Nigeria, which Dr. Nwosu opened in 2011 through his Goodness & Mercy Foundation, but also will help start a cardiac care center in the mega-city of Lagos.

“I want to take cardiac care to them, because it is very limited now,” Dr. Nwosu said. “Patients in Lagos with heart problems travel here for care, or the United Kingdom or India. But with falling oil prices and economic downturn they are finding it hard to travel. The need is tremendous.”

Dr. Nwosu has been doing medical mission trips to Ghana and Nigeria since 2001 and many St. Joseph’s/Candler co-workers have accompanied him.  Seven out of the last 10 years co-workers have travelled to Africa to take part in the healing missions.

For St. Joseph’s/Candler, outreach means going beyond the walls of the hospital.

“I have known Dr. Nwosu for a long time and I got to know him even better when we went on a medical mission trip to Ghana. He will be greatly missed,” said Paul P. Hinchey, President & CEO of St. Joseph’s/Candler. “But I know his work in Ajalli will greatly improve the health of that community.

“We are more than happy to donate these needed items because for St. Joseph’s/Candler community outreach is more than just a part of what we do as a health system.  It’s an integral part of who we are.”

The Goodness & Favour Medical Centre in Ajalli took over an abandoned clinic in 2011 and added working indoor toilets, newly painted rooms, landscaping around the perimeter of the clinic, brand new x-ray machines, a complete automated lab, a functional ultrasound system, and a new EKG machine.

Ten staff members hired on a full-time basis to run the clinic. Among these staff members are a practicing doctor, two nurse midwives, a lab scientist, an x-ray technician, a nurse aid, and a security guard.

Patients who visit the clinic normally come in to be treated for infectious diseases, high blood pressure, heart disease, ulcers, diabetes, malaria, and typhoid fever among other things. Some of the services rendered to patients include child delivery/maternity, wound care, ultrasounds, x-rays, electrocardiograms, fully automated lab tests, and general medical care.

The cardiac care section will be built from scratch. St. Joseph’s/Candler will donate needed medical equipment such as:

• 15 beds
• Three anesthesia machines
• An exam table
• Two autoclaves for equipment sterilization
• Office desks and supplies
• Scrub sink
• Lab equipment
• IV poles
• Medical furniture
• Radiology table
• Vital signs monitor