As the Covid-19 pandemic rages on, many have succumbed to the temptation of the blame game. They blame government, health workers and others for the lack of adequate preparation to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

They forget that blaming others at this point will not help us as the scourge is already upon us. However, there are still some who are thinking of how or what they can contribute to this fight with their skills.

One of such persons is Williams Gyang.

As we get worked up with the inadequate number of ventilators we have, he called to tell me how he wants to construct a ventilator to increase the numbers we have in Plateau State.

Being that he was no health personnel, he wanted to see how a ventilator operates and if he could get some parts from spoilt or “scrapped” ventilators.

We went to the Jos University Teaching Hospital(JUTH) and thankfully, the JUTH leadership gave him a chance. He was shown ventilators that were spoilt and even considered as “scraps”.

To cut the long story short, himself and his friend Nura Jibrin were able to fixed 3 ventilators that were not working before.
This increased the number of ventilators in JUTH to 6.

In a resources limited setting like ours, this is no mean feat. What Williams Gyang and Nura Jibrin did is what I pray every Nigerian will do. This pandemic calls for unity among us in order to win. Think of what you can contribute to this fight against the pandemic with your gifts or skills. This pandemic is on us and blaming government will not help us.

I write this to celebrate Williams Gyang and Nura Jibrin who are motivated to live a life of contribution and make a difference in the society.

They are not thinking of material gain but seeking to make a difference on humanity.

I am appealing to Plateau State Government to look within to get a pool of innovators, artisans, scientists and researchers to help in this fight against COVID-19.

In addition, I want to profusely thank the CMD (Prof Edmond Banwat) and CMAC (Dr Pokop Bupwatda) of JUTH for taking a chance on Williams and Nura.

WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR YOUR STATE AND COUNTRY?

Dr Daniel Meshak
JUTH