In a significant stride towards enhancing healthcare services in Plateau State, the newly renovated and fully equipped Accident and Emergency (A&E) Unit at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), now renamed the Mama Rhoda Danladi Accident and Emergency Unit, was officially commissioned over the weekend. This remarkable project was spearheaded by Chief Kefas Wungak Ropshik through the Kefiano Global Foundation, marking a substantial improvement in emergency healthcare delivery in the region.
The commissioning was attended by numerous dignitaries, including the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), who represented the Plateau State Governor, as well as the Permanent Secretary representing the Minister of Health, the Chief Medical Director of JUTH, and other notable guests.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Governor, the Secretary to the State Government, Arc. Samuel Jatau, underscored the importance of the project:
“The Governor sends his commendations to you for impacting the lives of Plateau citizens positively. This newly renovated A&E Unit will greatly improve the hospital’s capacity to respond to medical emergencies in the state, in line with the vision of the Governor. We commend Chief Kefas Ropshik and his foundation for this selfless act. It is through such collaborations that we can achieve a healthier and more resilient Plateau State.”
Chief Kefas Ropshik, the driving force behind the initiative, shared his personal motivation for the project and announced further support for the healthcare services at the new facility:
“This project is deeply personal to me as I lost my mother in the halls of this hospital. I witnessed some inadequacies in the delivery, and I decided to channel this experience into doing something meaningful that can touch the lives of countless people. I do not want to be remembered for how much money I have but how many lives I can touch”
Recognizing that even basic equipment shortages can sometimes delay healthcare delivery, Chief Kefas urged the Chief Medical Director to provide him with a monthly report of equipment needs, which he pledged to address. He also announced a ₦5 million donation to cover the medical expenses for the first 34 patients admitted to the newly renovated unit, corresponding to the number of new beds installed.
In a heartfelt address, Chief Kefas’ son, Shawn Kefas, reflected on the family’s loss of his grandmother and expressed pride in his father for transforming grief into enhanced healthcare access:
“Death has taken someone from virtually everyone here, and on the 6th of January, death took my grandmother away from me. This made everyone in my family afraid… however, fear is a construct. To stand in the face of fear and thrive is what it means to be a hero, and for undertaking this project, my father is a hero.”
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Health, the Permanent Secretary, Miss Kachollom Daju, emphasized the critical role of public-private partnerships in advancing healthcare while urging caregivers to honor the public trust by delivering quality healthcare:
“The Emergency Unit is a critical component of every hospital’s mission in providing comprehensive, compassionate, and cutting-edge healthcare services. No doubt, this beautifully renovated A&E Unit will continue to provide a healing environment—one that nurtures the body and instills a sense of dignity and peace in patients.”
The Permanent Secretary also presented a commendation letter from the Federal Ministry of Health to Chief Kefas, appreciating his generosity toward the hospital and praying for the peaceful repose of his late mother.
Dr. Pokop Buptwada, the Chief Medical Director of JUTH, expressed profound gratitude for the generous support, highlighting how the upgraded A&E Unit will bolster the hospital’s emergency response capabilities:
“This upgraded facility will significantly enhance our ability to respond swiftly to emergencies. The new equipment and infrastructure will not only improve patient outcomes but also boost the morale of our healthcare workers. We are deeply grateful to Chief Ropshik for his generosity.”
The newly commissioned A&E Unit is now equipped with state-of-the-art medical technology, modern infrastructure, and increased capacity to handle critical cases. The renovation is expected to drastically reduce patient wait times and improve the hospital’s efficiency in managing emergencies, ultimately saving countless lives.
As the event concluded, there was a palpable sense of optimism among attendees. Healthcare professionals and guests expressed hope that the upgraded facility would herald a new era of improved healthcare outcomes for the people of Plateau State.
© KEFIANO MEDIA
