Office of First Lady
First Lady bags Citizen of Distinction award, seeks collaboration on improved healthcare for Nigeria
Jun 27, 2010, 16:15
| | First Lady, Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan, was on Saturday June 26, in Toronto Canada named the 2010 Citizen of Distinction by the Management of Toronto East General Hospital during her visit to the hospital as part of events of the G8 spouses programme holding in Canada.
It is in recognition of her continued support to the poor through her youth scholarship awards and medical support to and assistance to children with heart condition.
Toronto East General Hospital is a large Urban full-service community teaching hospital providing comprehensive care to a diverse population of 400,000 people representing over 45,000 cultural and linguistic groups.
The visit by the First Lady was the first of such by a visiting dignitary.
The 2010 Citizen of Distinction Award was presented to her by the Chief Executive Office of the hospital, Rob Devitt accompanied by the hospital Foundation chair, Teresa Vasilopolous and othe top managent of the hospital.
Receiving the award, Dame Patience Jonathan comended the efforts of the health workers for providing life-saving care for the patients particularly women and children.
She assured the medical staff of the commitment of President Goodluck Jonathan to the realization of the three health related Millenium Development Goals namely, reduction of child and infant mortality; improving Maternal health and combating HIV/AIDS.
"As a mother, I recognize the hardship the women of Nigeria go through during child birth and i am working with relevant Government agencies to ensure our women enjoy the pleasure of motherhood."
She expressed the hope that the award which authomatically makes her the Champion of Toronto East General Hospital will be the begining of good working relationship with Nigerian Health Institutions, particularly the National hospital, Abuja.
Professor Isa Odidi and Dr Leke Badmus are two Canadian-Nigerians whose exploit in canadian health care delivery the First Lady believes serves as a testimony to Nigeria's capacity to partcipate globally in health related issues.
President of TEGH, Teresa Vasilopolous said the visit represents the attention that Toronto East General Hospital has been garnering on aNational scale for its high quality patient care and many awards of excellence as the destination of "Healthcare Excellence"
Dame Patience Jonathan is joining other Spouses of the G8 Countries and invited African Countries as guests of Mrs Harper who will treat the First Ladies to the arts and culture of Canadian region.
© Copyright 2012 nigeriafirst.org
Top of Page | 
