New Surgical Center Breaks Ground
CURE Niger celebrated a new chapter of its commitment with a traditional groundbreaking ceremony for a new surgical center that will provide increased space and modern facilities to meet the growing medical treatment needs. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on 7 June 2023. The Secretary General of the Ministry of Public Health, The Secretary of the Ministry of Regional Planning and Community Development, The Mayor of Commune 2 of Niamey, and the Director of NOOR Foundation attended the celebration, along with CURE Niger’s staff.
The ceremony began with the opening and congratulatory words of CURE Niger Hospital Executive Director, George Găvruș.
“We are gathered here to mark a historic moment, laying the foundation stone for our new surgical center. I am honored to present this project, representing a real turning point for our hospital . . .,” he said. “This initiative would not have been possible without funding from USAID, the support of our generous donors, and the support of the government of Niger. We are also grateful to God for being the source of life and who grants healing to the children we treat.”
Those present underscored this important initiative and expressed solidarity with CURE Niger’s mission to provide sponsored surgical care to children with treatable disabilities so they can live life to their fullest potential.
The Mayor of Commune 2 of Niamey, Amadou Boureima Sidibe, said, “We would like to reaffirm our support. Your recent investments prove your desire to serve the kids in a protective environment better.”
The Secretary of the Ministry of Regional Planning and Community Development, Abdou Bacharou Souleymane, noted the strategic partnerships that made this day possible: “I salute the NGOs role in supporting the government’s program, and I want to congratulate CURE and the technical partners and investors, especially USAID, who made it possible.”
Growing Our Commitment
The new project advances the hospital’s vision to provide high-quality surgical care to more children with treatable disabilities like cleft lip and palate, clubfoot, and bowed legs.
George Găvruș noted, “This is the first step in a larger project that will include a new pavilion, a new patient hostel, a new orthopedic workshop, new storage, a new training center, a new enlarged consultation area, and a physiotherapy facility.”
The Secretary General of the Ministry of Public Health, Sabo Hassane Adamou, called the groundbreaking an opportunity to anticipate—and celebrate—CURE increasing its capacity to serve more children.
“CURE’s impact on children’s lives is inestimable. Over the years, the hospital has cared for more than 49,000 patients and performed 8,816 surgical procedures, allowing children to regain mobility, independence, and hope for a better future. CURE Niger has a transformative effect, uplifting families and communities in our country. Today, by laying the foundation stone for the new surgical building, we reaffirm our commitment to extending the reach and impact of CURE Niger . . . Together, we are building a better future in which every child has the opportunity to grow up healthy, realize his or her full potential, and contribute to the development of our nation,” said Sabo Hassane Adamou, General Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health.
The Director of NOOR Foundation, Harou Oumarou, highlighted the positive transformation that CURE Hospital brings to children’s lives: “I am happy about this new surgical center being built because it will continue to give hope to vulnerable families, especially children. I just watched a video, and we can see the smiles of all the children who had their surgeries at CURE. Noor Foundation is witnessing what you are doing.”
This project will expand and improve surgical care at CURE Niger. The new state-of-the-art surgical center will double the surgical space with three operating theaters and increase the number of beds in a new ward. This means that more children like Laouali can receive the critical care they need.
Laouali came to us suffering from a joint condition that prevented him from walking normally and limited his future. At CURE, he received the surgical care he needed to fix his legs, and now he can pursue his dream: to become an electrician.
Building a New Chapter
As the first brick was laid, Executive Director George Găvruș said, “Together, we are building a better future for the health of our children.”
At CURE Niger, and the seven other hospitals that are part of our network across Africa and the Philippines, these upgrades and expansions will help end the wait for surgeries for the thousands of children currently on our waiting lists. We’re grateful for committed donors and partners who make this possible.
Learn more about the types of conditions that CURE Niger treats here.
If you want to sponsor surgery for a child at CURE Niger, please click here.
About the CURE Children’s Hospital of Niger
CURE Niger has been a place of hope since opening its doors in 2010. Ours is the first and only hospital in the country to provide Christ-centered care and charitable surgeries for children with treatable disabilities. Our teaching hospital has 58 beds, two operating rooms, and an outpatient clinic. In addition to world-class medical care, our team ministers to the emotional and spiritual needs of our patients and their communities.
