Ambode reaffirms commitment to providing better care services

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has reaffirmed his commitment to providing universal basic primary healthcare to reduce maternal mortality.

Ambode added that his administration has deliberately worked to bring quality, affordable and modern healthcare to residents of the state.

He made the disclosure during President Muhammadu Buhari’s unveiling of the rehabilitated and upgraded Institute of Maternal and Child Health popularly known as ‘Ayinke House’ at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). Ambode said the then 80-bed facility with just one surgical theatre has been revamped to a first-class childbirth and maternal care centre in the health sector of Nigeria.

He continued: “With the refurbishment and expansion, the facility now has 170 bed-spaces, five operation theatres, 16-bed acute care department (emergency) with three organ support capability, 30 special care baby unit spaces, five neonatal intensive care units, main laboratory with three additional side laboratories blood bank, 30 incubators with automatic oxygen delivery capacity and neonatal life support.”

The governor noted that the facility was donated to the Lagos State government by late Sir Mobolaji Bank-Anthony in memory of his late mother, Alhaja Rabiatu Ayinke Aleshinloye-Williams. “In recognition of the need to sustain the philanthropy of Sir Mobolaji Bank-Anthony, the State Government during the administration of the former Governor and the present Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, awarded the contract for the expansion and reconstruction of the facility. Today, seven years after the closure of the facility, the new edifice is ready to serve its purpose.

“This institute is a major contribution to our education sector. It is a veritable platform for our medical students in the State University to enhance their exposure and experience with the top-class medical equipment provided. The new Ayinke House is completely digitalised with state-of-the-art medical equipment as well as information technology services supported by the State Ministry of Science and Technology,” he added.

Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, said the rehabilitation and installed IT system in the facility cost the State government about N6billion.

According to him, the new Ayinke House would have a positive impact on the workforce, productivity and economy of the country.

Chief Medical Director, LASUTH, Prof. Adetokunbo Fabamwo, noted that the government in 2018 recruited 250 additional staff for the new Anyike house. “We have 21 consultant obstetricians and gynaecologists and about 30 resident doctors that are going to work here. This is a 170-bed hospital and it is going to be massive. It is going to be a lot of work, so we need a lot of hands on deck,” he added.

Also, President, Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON), Dr. Oluwarotimi Akinola said that the challenge that has faced maternal and child care has been inadequate capacity. However, the new facility would increase the LASUTH’s capacity to offer gynecology and obstetrics care.