Atim Ekanem Foundation visited St. Luke’s Hospital in Anua, Uyo, on Tuesday. The visit was part of the Foundation’s ongoing work with kidney patients and healthcare providers in the state.

The team got to the hospital at 12:16 p.m. and waited a while before the meeting started. Mr. Bassey, the Head of Administration, welcomed everyone and thanked them for their patience.

The Foundation’s CEO introduced her team — Mrs. Anayo, the consultant; Dr. Nick; and a group of volunteers. Mrs. Israel, the hospital’s Matron, thanked the Foundation for the partnership.

Reverend Father Gabriel Ekong spoke about how the Foundation started and where its name came from. He noted that it keeps alive the memory of the CEO’s late mother, and that the Foundation has turned that memory into support for people living with kidney disease.

The CEO talked with hospital staff about something that keeps coming up in her work: many people don’t see a doctor until their kidney disease has already gotten serious. Catching it early, she said, is the whole point of the awareness work.

She also thanked the nurses for the work they do every day.

At the dialysis centre

After the meeting, the team walked through the ward and then went to the dialysis centre, where they met two patients receiving treatment. The CEO talked with them, encouraged them, and took down their details so the Foundation can follow up on how to help.

It wasn’t a long visit. But for patients managing a hard illness, being checked on matters — maybe as much as the treatment itself.

The Foundation thanked St. Luke’s for having them, and said it plans to keep building relationships like this one as it grows its work across health, education, and agriculture.