Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has paid an unscheduled visit to the Lagos Island Maternity Hospital on Sunday, for an on the spot assessment on how effective the medical palliative care is being implemented.
Sanwo-Olu following up the Lagos State Goverment’s decision to offer free antenatal services and free birth deliveries for women at the State’s General Hospitals to help cushion the effect of the current economic situation in the country.
Recall as part of the relief measures announced to lessen the burden of the removal of the fuel subsidy on Lagosians, the Governor directed in July that General Hospitals, PHCs in should provide free antenatal care and child delivery services, including normal Cesarean sections, to expectant mothers.
Sanwo-Olu on social media platforms while giving the update on how the unscheduled visit went said healthcare is very critical, and his administration must do everything to ensure it is available at the best level for everyone.
The Governor also made an unscheduled visit to the General Hospital, Odan to do on-the-spot assessment of the level of facilities at the hospital and the medical quarters, with a view to determining the level of intervention needed.
He futher said, “As part of our THEMES + agenda, we have made major strides across different levels of healthcare in Lagos, with major interventions still planned to support continued improvement. Together, we’re committed to building a healthier and safer future”.
Meanwhile, Lagos residents, pregnant women in the state are currently receiving free antenatal care and child delivery services from the Lagos State General Hospitals and Primary Health Centers.
The Governor also instructed the primary and secondary health facilities run by State Government to provide free medical services to ensure that health of families taken care of while easing their financial constraints, increasing access to quality health care delivery in Lagos State.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, said that the implementation of the free health services will help improve maternal and child health indices in Lagos.
Ogboye, who spoke during a compliance monitoring visit to some State hospitals over the weekend, including the Ifako-Ijaiye and Isolo General Hospitals, expressed satisfaction at the level of compliance.
According to him, “The Governor recognized that the cost of antenatal care and child delivery services would add to the burden of fuel subsidy removal on the cost of living for expectant parents, and this is why he announced the free medical intervention as part of the rolled out measures to ease off the burden.
The Perm Sec who impressed by the level of compliance with Governor’s free antenatal and child delivery service directive at the health facilities visited.
Having gone round the ANC clinics, post-delivery wards, and baby nurseries at the Ifako-Ijaiye and Isolo General Hospitals, it is heartwarming to see the smiles on the faces of the newly born and their parents.
