Sanwo-Olu: more facilities coming for maternal, child care in Lagos

By Oyebola Owolabi

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Monday opened the 110- bed Maternal and Child Centre (MCC) at the Epe General Hospital.

He promised that his administration will build more of such facilities to improve access to the best pre- and post-natal care.

He said: “I feel fulfilled to be in Epe to open this facility today. At the opening of the MCC in Badagry last December, I reiterated our government’s commitment to the eradication of maternal and child mortality in Lagos through consistent action and smart investments. Our overarching goal is to eradicate infant and child mortality in our state while our women must no longer die while giving life.

“We remain unwaveringly committed to this goal. This maternal and child centre brings to four the total number of MCCs delivered by this administration. The others are in Badagry, Eti-Osa and Igando.

Read Also: Sanwo-Olu commissions ljede, ltamaga, lkorodu roads

“We are not done; our plan is to build maternal child centres across the state to improve the access of expectant mothers to the best pre- and post-natal care, by professional health workers, using modern and state of the art facilities.

“Where necessary, we will build new health facilities; where appropriate, we will renovate and upgrade existing health facilities. You can, however, rest assured that our health facilities will be fully equipped and staffed to meet the health needs of all Lagosians- this is our promise.

“Apart from emergency services, this MCC is a secondary public health facility that will provide all services related to reproductive issues, including obstetrics; gynaecology; pediatrics; family planning, immunisation, laboratory services and radiology.”

The governor added: “I urge all expectant and future mothers within Epe Local Government and its environs to make use of this facility rather than patronising unregistered birth homes.”

Commissioner for Health Prof. Akin Abayomi reiterated that the MCC would reduce maternal and child mortality. He promised that another 20 nurses and 10 doctors would be employed to join the current 20 nurses and nine doctors.

According to him, the facility began operations on May 19, and had since registered about 590 expectant mothers, with 100 babies delivered.

Services rendered in the facility include emergency services, obstetrics, gynaecology, laboratory services/blood bank, radiology/sonography, paediatrics, family planning, and immunisation.

The governor also opened the Emergency and Security Regional Dispatch Centre in the same axis. He described it as reinforcing his administration’s commitment to the provision of seamless and efficient safety, security and emergency management approach.

He said: “It is also a demonstration of the premium we place on the safety of lives and property irrespective of where Lagosians choose to live within the state.

“This centre will serve as a hub and one stop facility for the efficient and rapid deployment of first responders to emergencies within Epe Local Government Area and its immediate vicinity.

“This facility has been staffed with well-trained personnel and furnished with the necessary equipment required for effective response to emergencies. It is designed to accommodate all relevant safety and security agencies, including the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA), Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services Agency (LSFS), Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), Lagos State Ambulance Services, Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), and the Ministry of Justice.

The synergised efforts of all these agencies will enhance efficiency.

“As a proactive government, we will not deviate from our goal of ensuring that every part of Lagos is safe and secure for our people. We will continue to invest in human and capital resources that guarantee the safety and security of all residents.

“You can count on our administration to keep initiating and implementing valuable strategies for the socioeconomic wellbeing of residents, investors and all stakeholders in Lagos. We will continue to provide good governance and an  enabling environment for the growth and development of our state and all Lagosians.”

from Latest Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Politics https://ift.tt/2TydE2F
via IFTTT