5TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS IN CALABAR - THE HIGHLIGHTS ON 16TH JUNE 2020

It has become a tradition that in June every year, the Doctors' Timeout Family- DTOF marks her anniversary with one big charity event in a chosen Centre. In 2018, Ibadan was the chosen Centre where foodstuffs were donated to orphanages as well as school pupils massively dewormed following the DTOF *Deworm and Educate the Child Initiative*

In 2019, Benin was the centre for the central celebration, and in keeping with the DTOF *Adopt and Train a Child Initiative*,   eight (8) children were adopted from an IDP camp in Edo state and placed on the DTOF Scholarship Scheme (full scholarship from primary through secondary School).

This year, same humanitarian gesture was extended to Calabar in Cross River State.

Following weeks of preparation, the activities culminated in the donation of some medical items to the UCTH management in support of the ongoing fight against COVID19 pandemic and a Medical Mission/donation of palliatives to the home of the Aged, poor and Needy in Calabar, in keeping with the DTOF *Loving, Caring and Sharing* mantra.

As early as 9am on Tuesday 16th, June, 2020, DTOF representatives in Calabar dressed in their traditional DTOF branded T-shirts over blue jeans, had assembled in the UCTH Board Room in wait of the hospital management for the presentation of the gift items, under the watchful eyes of the Press. 

Upon the arrival of the management team led by the CMAC of the hospital, Dr Besong Akotanchi, the Cross River State DTOF team lead, gave  a synopsis of what DTOF is all about before presenting the gift items.

The high point was the presentation of a DTOF T-shirt to the management in addition to the PPEs materials donated viz, 50 DTOF branded Faceshields, 250 pieces of Surgical Facemask, two cartons of latex gloves and 20litres of alcohol-based hand sanitizer. The elated CMAC who couldn't hide his feelings, thanked DTOF for the kind gesture and prayed God for more open doors to all the donors.

At the home of the Elderly and Needy situated along Target Road, Calabar, it was celebration galore as the elderly inmates of the Geriatrics institution trooped out in appreciation of the gift items and to have their health checked by the experienced doctors. Though the press was not allowed to capture images of the inmates, their joy was palpable through the intermittent smoothening of their wrinkled faces via facial expressions. All the inmates including the staff of the Geriatrics home were screened for Diabetes Mellitus, had their eyes examined, Blood Pressure checked and general consultations offered with donation of drugs to the institution.

Their Christmas also came earlier with the donation of food items and toiletries by the visiting DTOF Father Christmas.

While Calabar awaits school resumption for another set of beneficiaries of the DTOF Scholarship to be selected, the impact already created in UCTH and the Geriatrics Home, is already reverberating via the radio stations in Calabar metropolis and some major tabloids in the country.

Are you still wondering what your financial donations are doing?

Donate to DTOF today and put smiles on multiple faces, secure a future for that vulnerable kid via education as well as save more lives via DTOF Medical Missions.

God bless you all for your contributions.

Dr. Besong Akotanchi

DTOF Publicity Secretary/Coordinator SS 5th anniversary event