Collapsed building: Heal for Africa and Health Hub Africa rallies support for the Ita-faji victims
On the 13th of March, 2019, a four-storey building that served as residential, educational and commercial purposes at Ita- Faji area of Lagos state collapsed and trapped over a 100 people underground. Dozens of children who have their nursery and primary school lessons in that building were involved in the unfortunate incident.
The building was reportedly marked for demolition since 2018 but the fatigue signs were ignored. After the crash, local residents and rescue workers from the state government, Lagos state rescue unit helped in evacuating victims.
The state Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode was also at the scene of the incident. According to the state Commissioner for Health, Jide Idris, no fewer than 20 persons have been reported dead.
OUR INVOLVEMENT
Heal for Africa Initiative in collaboration with Health Hub Africa has initiated a campaign tagged #HopeForItaFajiVictims to garner support for the victims and call for donations. Health Hub Africa is a network of innovators, leaders, influencers and key players in the health sector across Africa, collaborating to advance the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3; Good health and Well being.
As part of the move to proffer help, we will be conducting a needs assessment at Ita Faji community on Sunday, 17th of March, 2019. Meanwhile, Blood plus Nigeria is organizing a drive for blood donations which is slated same day for the visit.
YOUR HELP
We obviously cannot reach out extensively to all the victims hence, we are calling on the public for their support by joining the conversation online, donating blood, relief materials or cash at stipulated drop off points. For more updates on our campaign please follow this hashtag “#HopeForItaFajiVictims” on Twitter and Instagram.
The following items are needed: Clothes, Drinking water, Food items and beverages, Hospital consumables, Wheel chair, Walking frame, Crutches, Underlay, Child diapers, adult diapers, big roll plasters, crepe bandages, toiletries, detergents, antiseptics, neck collar, chest tubes, NG tubes, Urinary catheters, Cotton wool, Oropharyngeal Airway, Pink/Green/ Blue Cannulas ,Syringes, Plaster, Pediatric saline, Blankets, Blood giving set and blood bags.
We have provided three drop off points: myPharmacy (formerly PSV Pharmacy) at Casa Kaysora Mall (8, Adewunni Adebimpe drive Marwa, second round about) from 9 am to 5pm, 2 Doctoora Office (No. 11 Gbajumo Crescent, Off Adeniran Ogunsanya street, Surulere) from 9 am and 5 pm and Fab Medicals at OPIC plaza suit by Sheration hotel (No. 401 Moblaji Bank Antohny way, Maryland, Ikeja) from 10 am to 4.30pm.
For those who cannot make it to the blood donation center of drop off relief items in person, Monetary contributions for hospital bills for surviving victims of the building collapse can be made to our account: (Fidelity Bank, Heal For Africa Initiative, 6060313332)
To donate blood, you can reach out to Blood Plus Initiative (www.instagram.com/bloodplus_ng and www.twitter.com/bloodplus_ng) or you can locate them at General hospital, (Lagos 1-3, Broad Street, Lagos Island) on the 17th of March, 2019 from 12pm to 4pm.
A comprehensive report of this campaign will be posted upon completion. Meanwhile, Updates about our activities, donations received and expenditure will be shared on social media platforms via the hashtag #HopeForItaFajiVictims.