.. Reiterates Government’s Commitment To Reposition Health Sector
Wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Dr.(Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday flagged-off a free surgical intervention programme for residents, as part of activities commemorating the 100 days in office of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
The free health mission, which is being organised in partnership with a non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Benjamin Olowojebutu Foundation, features free surgeries for residents suffering from Lipoma, Hernia, Fibroid and Breast Lumps, as well as free dental and general health screening.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony held at General Hospital, Ijede, a suburb of Ikorodu, the First Lady said the development further underscores the commitment of the present administration towards revamping, rejuvenating and repositioning the health sector in the State for topnotch service delivery to the people.
According to her, the exercise was instructive considering the fact that a considerable level of commitment to revamp the health sector in the State had been aptly demonstrated since May 29, 2019.
In her words, “The second pillar of the developmental agenda for a greater Lagos promised by this administration as espoused in T.H.E.M.E.S speaks to provision of affordable, qualitative and accessible healthcare, as well as the implementation of initiatives to rev up healthcare delivery and equally ensure a healthy, livable and sustainable environment.
“In furtherance of this, the 110-Bed Maternal and Child Centre (MCC) in Eti-Osa was completed and commissioned, while work is nearing completion on two others in Badagry and Epe, with more to follow. Also, the State Government flagged off Free Medical Mission for 21,000 children and adults in partnership with Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu/Kadri Obafemi Hamzat (BOSKOH) Lagos Healthcare Mission International, as part of efforts to improve the health of residents, especially children”, she added.
The First Lady explained that over 21, 000 people were screened at seven centres over a period of six days in the ongoing programme, while a total of 1417 free surgeries were conducted for residents, including eye surgery for children and adults, pediatric surgery, dental surgery, orthopaedic surgery, and ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) surgery.
While commending the Benjamin Olowojebutu Foundation (BOF) for coming up with the initiative to partner with the State Government, she asserted that in view of available statistics which reveal that about 50 per cent of the Nigerian female population aged 15 to 44 live with Fibroids, any medical intervention to address it and other diseases was most commendable.
She, therefore, urged other well-meaning individuals and organisations to emulate such laudable gesture by supporting the present administration’s efforts to improve the health indices of the State.
Also speaking, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. (Mrs) Titilayo Goncalves said the free surgeries were in furtherance of the premium placed on healthcare by the government, especially in reaching out to vulnerable residents of the State at the grassroots including the elderly, the very young, and people living with disabilities.
“Our objective for Lagos, one of the largest Mega Cities in the world, is to institutionalise accessible, efficient and qualitative health care that is affordable to all our residents, irrespective of class or status and we are here again today to demonstrate our commitment to these values,” she said.
Earlier, Executive Director of the Foundation, Dr Benjamin Olowojebutu said since the initiative commenced, a total of 1405 residents have been screened, while out of the 150 planned surgeries, 51 life-transforming surgeries have already been performed on five patients with Fibroids, 33 with Lipomas and 13 with Breast Lumps.
