Lagos women will no longer die during childbirth, says Sanwo-Olu

Lagos women will no longer die during childbirth, says   Sanwo-Olu

…Commissions 110-bed Maternal and Child Centre in Badagry

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has assured pregnant women in the state that his administration will do everything within his power to put an end to the twin issue of Maternal and Child mortality.

The Governor who disclosed this  in Badagry while unveiling a new Maternal and Childcare Centre and the School of Anesthesia located within the premises of Badagry General Hospital stated that Lagos State under his leadership will change the narrative of the disturbing maternal, newborn and child mortality indices.

He averred that the completion of the Badagry Maternal and Child Centre by his administration is a critical indicator of his commitment to eradicating maternal and child mortality as well as his determination to consolidate achievements recorded in improving maternal and child health outcomes.

The governor said: “I am immensely proud to be here today to handover the newly constructed and equipped four-floor 110-bed Maternal and Child Centre, and the School of Anesthetic Studies, Badagry to the people of Badagry.

“Maternal and child mortality is so close to my heart that I am ready to do everything within my personal and official capacity to put an end to it in Lagos State. In most developing countries including Nigeria, there are disturbing maternal, newborn and child mortality indices, but under my watch, Lagos State will change the narrative”

“Through consistent action and smart investments, our women will no longer die while giving life; we will eradicate infant and under-5 mortality in our State”, he vowed. 

While noting that his administration will not pay lip service to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Sanwo-Olu said that his administration is taking concrete action to ensure that residents have greater access to all they need for a peaceful and prosperous life in every sphere.

“It is incontrovertible fact that there can be no socio-economic development without healthy citizens; we all know the crucial role of women in the entrenchment of a developed and progressive society – it has, therefore, become imperative to put an end to preventable maternal and child death”, the Governor explained.

He said the fully equipped Badagry Maternal and Child Centre holds great potential for healthcare delivery adding that it is a one-stop-centre for all reproductive issues including family planning, gynaecology, paediatrics, immunization, obstetrics and emergency services amongst other services.

The Governor disclosed that the facility since commencement of operation late December, 2020 has recorded 3000 out-patient clinic attendance. He added that 49 normal deliveries and 60 caesarian sections have also been carried out at the centre.

“My excitement is palpable because I know what this means for our integrated health system in Lagos State. With the inauguration of this Maternal and Child Centre, the people of Badagry and adjoining communities now have increased access to quality and safe healthcare, reduction or even complete eradication of maternal and infant mortality as well as general improvement in all maternal and child health indices in this local government. “All these benefits will in turn have a positive ripple effect on the development of socio-economic indices of Badagry”, Sanwo-Olu stated.

While noting that another Maternal and Child Centre in Epe would soon be completed and commissioned, the Governor disclosed that his administration has mapped out strategy for phased upgrade and revamping of health infrastructure across all levels of care.

He listed some of the public secondary health facilities that have been identified for phased expansion and upgrade to include; General Hospital Lagos, General Hospital, Isolo, Ebute Meta and Harvey Road Health Centres.

The Governor also revealed that the plans have been concluded to commence the construction of a General Hospital in Ojo, a new Massey Street Children’s Hospital on the Island, a Mental Health Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre in Ketu-Ejirin, an Infectious Disease Centre and Permanent Isolation Centre at Yaba.

Speaking on the School of Anesthesia facility upgrade, Sanwo-Olu stated that the school which has trained 133 doctors and 65 nurses validates his administration’s dedication to capacity building and the professional empowerment of the State’s medical workforce.

The Governor while commending and appreciating the health workers in Lagos for their dedication to duty promised that the his administration will do all it can to make their job easier  by equipping and revamping existing hospitals and ensuring that new health facilities lack no modern equipment.

“With our consistent investment and innovative interventions in quality healthcare delivery, I am confident that Lagos State will continue to take the lead in maternal and child health. The lives of our children and childbearing women will count, our children will survive, our mothers will live and we will have healthy babies and health mothers”, Sanwo-Olu said.

Earlier in his remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi stated that the secondary care for women and children which previously depended on the routine health services provided by the Badagry General Hospital would receive a boost with establishment of the Maternal and Child Centre.

He disclosed that the facility would provide numerous maternal and child care services including emergency care, obstetrics, gynecology, laboratory and blood banking services, radiology, sonography, pediatrics services, family planning, immunization amongst others.

Noting that the need for the facility in Badagry is long due, particularly because of the quarter of a million people living in the border axis, Abayomi averred that the MCC would cater for the maternal and child health needs of riverine communities and islands along the neighbouring West African states.

“We are proud to commission this facility; the third to be commissioned by the administration of Mr, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of Lagos State. Lagos State Government is committed to providing the enabling environment and care to all pregnant women during their pregnancies and when they deliver their babies in these facilities”,