Children’s Day: Foundation inaugurates renovated ESUTH Neonatal Care unit

The Cecilia Oyebola Foundation, Lagos, has renovated and equipped the Neonatal Care Unit of the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH), Parklane, to help prevent infections among newborn babies.

The foundation was established in honour of the late Cecilia Oyebola, mother of Dr Yomi Jaye, Special Adviser to Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State on Health.

The renovated special baby unit was inaugurated on Wednesday by former Governor of old Anambra State, Sen. Jim Nwobodo, and his wife, Pat Nwobodo, as part of activities marking the 2026 Children’s Day celebration.

Speaking during the inauguration, Jaye said the intervention was aimed at supporting Gov. Peter Mbah’s healthcare transformation agenda in Enugu State.

According to him, the foundation decided to mark this year’s Children’s Day by embarking on a lasting intervention rather than organising parties and entertainment.

He disclosed that the foundation supplied modern incubators, phototherapy machines, infusion pumps, syringe pumps, autoclave machines, baby cots, air conditioners, lockers and specially designed scrubs for nurses.

“For the past three years, we celebrated Children’s Day with parties and gifts, but this year we decided to do something more impactful.

“We discovered that where children begin life is the neonatal ward. If we can make the place safer and better, then we have truly celebrated Children’s Day,” he said.

Jaye, whose birthday was on May 27, explained that after assessing the neonatal ward, the foundation realised that infection prevention protocols needed to be improved before introducing new medical equipment.

“So today, we have stopped something significant — infections among newborns. In the next one year, we will measure the impact by looking at how many children survive and leave here healthy,” he said.

He recalled that the death of his twin brother years ago due to neonatal infection inspired his passion for improving neonatal healthcare.

“I remember my mother crying in the neonatal ward, and I felt if we could help prevent such infections for other children, then we have done something meaningful,” he said.

Jaye added that the foundation would continue supporting healthcare and education initiatives, including awards for the best female students in community health and medicine.

Also speaking, Gov. Peter Mbah, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, commended Jaye and the foundation for supporting the state government’s healthcare reforms.

Onyia said the intervention reflected the culture of commitment and service promoted by the Mbah administration.

He described Jaye as a humble and dedicated public servant whose contributions had impacted the health sector positively.

According to Onyia, the state government had witnessed significant improvements at Parklane Hospital since the inception of the current administration.

Inaugurating the facility, Sen Nwobodo praised the foundation and the state government for prioritising child healthcare.

“I thank God that I came here today to witness what has been done. The life of a child is everything. What you have done here will not be forgotten,” he said.