AN APPEAL FUND FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURAL UPGRADE AND EXPANSION OF MEDICAL MISSIONARIES OF MARY (MMM) PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CLINIC AND MATERNITY
Greetings from the Medical Missionaries of Mary (MMM) Primary Health Care Clinic and Maternity, Abuja. The Medical Missionaries of Mary are an International Missionary Congregation of Women, founded by Mother Mary Martin, in Nigeria, in 1937. We are missioned to over thirteen countries in the world. For 86 years, our congregation has promoted community healthcare through outreach programs, established hospitals and clinics in remote areas, promoted health education amongst the masses and participated in the economic empowerment of young women. The Medical Missionaries of Mary (MMM) Primary Health Care Clinic and Maternity is situated in Lugbe, Abuja and has existed for over 25 years.
We write to seek funding for our upcoming project, which centers on upgrading our infrastructure to provide comprehensive maternal, neonatal, diagnostic services and clinical care that will save pre-term, complex and complicated maternal cases.
A 2019 report from the World Health Organization revealed that Nigeria accounts for 20% of all global maternal deaths. WHO adds that poor women in remote areas are the least likely to receive adequate health care. This is especially true for regions with low numbers of skilled health workers, like the Lugbe community. According to Dr Anshu Banerjee, Director of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing at WHO. “Interventions to improve quality of healthcare are critical for achieving universal health coverage and equity and reducing maternal and newborn deaths.”
There is an apparent need for professional services in maternal care backed by expertise and strong infrastructure.
The Medical Missionaries of Mary set out to resolve some of these challenges, but we were hindered by limitations of our own due to our inability to handle emergency cases. This leads to psychological trauma when patients have to be referred to clinics elsewhere during labour. We have seen such patients being rejected because of lack of bed space or the patients’ inability to pay costly bills for caesarean section. Sadly, many mothers and infants have lost their lives to this hectic process. Furthermore, due to heightened insecurity in the region, our staff are unable to leave their homes for the clinic in cases of nighttime emergencies.
Considering our strategic positioning in the Lugbe community, it has become pertinent that we take the brave step to significantly upgrade our maternity, diagnostic, clinical, and infrastructure to meet the growing needs of the community.
The comprehensive maternal healthcare that we intend to provide will save pre-term, complex and complicated maternal cases across the board, especially for the marginalized in the society. We plan that the payments made by those who can pay will enable us to provide subsidized medical services to the under-privileged.
With the maternity unit running 24 hours daily and an ultra-modern medical diagnostic centre, there will be need to accommodate clinical and support staff in preparation for emergencies. Presently this is not possible.
Comprehensively, we are seeking Five Billion Naira (N5,000,000,000.00) in funding for this project. This financial support will allow us to develop our capabilities for gynecological and obstetrical and diagnostics as well as provide housing to facilitate 24-hour operations.
If we were to receive funding, our project will significantly improve the quality of maternal, pediatric, and general healthcare available to patients in Lugbe and its environs. The people most impacted by your funding will be Mother and Child and the under-privileged in society, who will otherwise be unable to afford such quality of service.
Medical Missionaries of Mary is passionate about addressing this problem because it is our mission to bring the healing love of God to our world. We understand how meaningful this project can be in helping the Lugbe community.
Thank you for your consideration of our appeal and for providing an organization like ours with the opportunity to make a difference in Nigeria.
We anticipate your favorable response and please find attached Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan’s recommendation letter (He inaugurated the Maternity Wing six years ago, as our leader).
Yours Sincerely,
Rev. Sr. Dumka Michael
Clinic Administrator
Medical Missionaries of Mary (MMM)
08072601634
PLEASE KINDLY SEND YOUR GENEROUS DONATION TO THE MEDICAL MISSIONARIES OF MARY. ECOBANK NIGERIA LIMITED; ACCOUNT DETAILS: 2510024216
NOTE: WE APPEAL FOR FUNDS FOR PHASE ONE TO CONSTRUCT THE BUILDING FIRSTLY. ATTACHED IS THE BUDGET BREAKDOWN
Rev. Sr. Theresa Agbam
Clinic Matron
Medical Missionaries of Mary 08020856646
