New developments

Almadina Clinic and Pharmacy were accredited as primary and secondary providers under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in 2005. To date over 2500 subscribers have selected the facility as their provider of choice, taking advantage of our one-stop package of outpatient and specialist services (in gynaecology, ophthalmology, radiology, and internal medicine), the well-stocked pharmacy, laboratory, and other diagnostic services (ultrasound and ECG). This development is generating more income to cover the costs of the charity patients.

The CO Foundation/Almadina OPD, with co-operation from the Mill Hill College and Wild Geese in the Netherlands, embarked upon the extension of the OPD and the relocation of the diagnostic laboratory in 2006. A borehole was sunk with a grant received from the Royal Dutch Embassy in Abuja providing relief from the chronic water shortage and a power generating plant is under construction. In 2007 a new generator was procured and installed with a grant from the Irish Aid programme of the Irish High Commission in Abuja. This generator can provide uninterrupted power supply necessary to run the OPD in a professional manner.

The increased investments in infrastructure, equipment, social amenities, and professional staff hope to result in more paying commercial patients to visit the clinic, ultimately offsetting the expenses of charity patients.

In 2009 activities were initiated to build an in-patient clinic complete with an operating theatre and a delivery room on the same site as the pharmacy and OPD. This maternity clinic will be able to give specialist gyneacological and obstetric care for pregnant women and new-born infants. Included in the facilities are two private rooms, a small ward and a ramp where patients can be transported directly in and out a waiting ambulance.

The CO Foundation and Almadina are currently focused on securing financial support through free will donations and charity to be able to buy the necessary medical equipment. Apart from the opportunity to treat paying patients and thus increasing the income for the CO Foundation/Almadina OPD and clinic these developments are especially aimed at reducing the high mortality rate among pregnant women and new born babies.