The Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) has announced the establishment of its Centre for Advanced Neonatal Studies, an initiative by the Department of Paediatrics.

The centre aims to become a leading hub for neonatal training and care in Nigeria and the Sub-Saharan region, solidifying LASUTH’s reputation as a key institution in healthcare manpower development.

In a statement, the Chief Medical Director of LASUTH, Prof Adetokunbo Fabamwo, said the launch of the centre was another milestone in the hospital’s journey towards achieving quaternary-level medical care.

Fabamwo also emphasised that the centre is evidence of the state government’s commitment to improving healthcare services while acknowledging the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration’s continuous support in advancing LASUTH into a centre of healthcare excellence.

He commended the Department of Paediatrics for its qualitative and excellent approach to neonatal care.

A Consultant Neonatologist at LASUTH, Dr Ayodeji Akinola, explained that the centre will include three specialised training institutions, namely Neonatal Ventilation Academy, focused on advanced respiratory care for neonates, and Lagos Neonatal POCUS School, offering training on Point of Care Ultrasonography in Neonatology and Neonatal Invasive Procedure Training (NIPROT), which will focus on specialised neonatal procedures such as central line placements, peripherally inserted central catheters, and ventricular taps, among others.

During the launch, Messrs Draeger, one of the global leaders in medical and safety equipment technology, pledged significant support by donating critical neonatal care equipment to enhance training and development in LASUTH’s new programme.

At the equipment handover, the Sales and Applications Manager for West Africa, Medical Division, Draeger Ghana Ltd, Dr Abdulahi Buhari, expressed the company’s commitment to improving neonatal care in Nigeria.