By; MATTHEW UKACHUNWA Lagos
People who live in Lagos State have been told to enrol for ‘Ilera Eko’, the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme, to enable them access quality and efficient healthcare services.
The State’s Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, issued the directive on Sunday when he accompanied Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, wife of Lagos State governor, to welcome first babies of the year 2023 in General Hospitals.
Abayomi said that the residents can be enrolled at the Health Insurance Desk in all the General Hospitals and flagship Primary Healthcare Centres in the state.
He emphasized that the government is committed to its efforts to reduce maternal and child mortality in Lagos State.
According to him, available statistics showed that maternal and child health indices in Lagos is improving.
The health commissioner described welcoming of the first babies of the year as a “special event through which the Lagos State Government is showing commitment and support to the well-being of mothers and children.”
Abayomi declared, “I am proud of the Lagos State Health family for doing wonderfully well in providing quality healthcare service delivery to the populace.”
Director of Public Affairs of Lagos Ministry of Health, Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, said that wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, in the early hours of 1st January welcomed and presented gifts items to the first babies of the year in three State-owned hospitals namely: Maternal and Child Centre (MCC) Eti-Osa, Ebute-Metta General Hospital and the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) ,Ikeja.
“Baby Ayinde, a Male who weighed 3.1Kg delivered at exactly 12:01AM by Mrs. Ayinde is the first baby of the year at the Eti-Osa Maternal Child Centre (MCC). Baby Iromain, a Female who weighed 2.9Kg and delivered at 12:02AM by Mrs. Iromain is the first baby of the year at Ebute-Metta General Hospital, while the first babies of year at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja are Triplets delivered through Cesarean Section by Mrs Olufoye. The first child, a Female, weighing 2.2kg was delivered at exactly 12:07am; the second child, a Male who weighed 2kg was delivered at 12:08am while the third child, a Female who weighed 2.1kg was delivered by 12:09 am,” the public affairs director reported. “Welcoming the first babies at these hospitals, Sanwo-Olu stated welcoming newborns is a symbolic and significant event that brings forth the assurance that human heritage is carried on to the next generation.”
She said: “The gift of a new baby is a priceless one from God Almighty and as with a lot of cultures, across the world, the birth of a child brings good fortune to society. We are here today not just to celebrate new life but also to seek opportunities to make a difference in the lives of the people who need our assistance. Bearing in mind always that our show of love, kindness and compassion is only an extension of gratitude to our maker for the same grace granted to us”.
While noting that the Lagos State Government through the Health Ministry, has continued to deliver its mandate of providing qualitative and efficient health care services to all residents in the State, the First Lady disclosed that the State Government has over the years strengthened its Maternal and Child Health policies and programs to reduce maternal, child and infant mortality.
She noted the implementation of the Maternal and Child Health policies, strategies and programs is evident with the improved maternal and child health indices being recorded in the State adding that the upgrading and construction of new Maternal and Child Care (MCC) facilities towards the provision of accessible and affordable mother and child services, is geared towards reducing the high morbidity and mortality among women and under-five children in the State.
“I wish to commend the health family for the continuing infrastructural upgrade; provision of relevant equipment, positive attitudinal change in our workers, and human capacity development, all leading to some measure of efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery and enhanced customer satisfaction. I also wish to acknowledge the efforts of the Hospital Management in the provision of a conducive and serene environment for the delivery of healthcare services in these hospital”, Dr. Sanwo-Olu said.
While congratulating the parents of the newly born, the First Lady commended all philanthropists, corporate bodies, Non-governmental organizations and civil society groups involved in any form of partnership towards complimenting the vision and efforts of the State Government in the health sector.
She said: “I will implore and encourage others out there to come on board to join the State Government as there are more services and projects available for adoption and support. As we are excited that your bundles of joy have finally arrived safe and sound, I once again, congratulate the parents of these babies. I pray that the newborns are blessed with good health and long life to grow up to become useful citizens who will make our dear State and country proud in the future”.
Also speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye assured that the Lagos State Government will not relent in putting in place policies and strategies geared towards the development of health care services in line with best practices around the world.
Dr Ogboye however urged all traditional and community leaders in Lagos to work with the management and staff of the public health facilities for protection of the health personnel and health infrastructure in their communities from attack whenever there is a problem in the society.
“We urge our traditional and community leader to work with the management and staff of the health facilities in your community. Please we would like to ask you to help in protecting our health facilities and personnel form attack whenever there is a problem in the community. They are medical doctors they are your brothers and sisters and they want to work”. He said.
