Sanwo-Olu opens N60m holding bay at LASUTH for COVID-19 cases

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday, commissioned a N60 million self-contained 20-bed holding bay and high care unit at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) to isolate suspected COVID-19 patients/cases from other patients before their test results come out.

The governor, who was represented by his wife, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, at the commissioning of the facility, said as Lagos State continues to be the epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria with concerted efforts to flatten the curve of the pandemic, the holding bay is important in curtailing the spread of the virus.

“While our efforts at managing the pandemic has been largely successful considering the number of cases that have been successfully treated and the reduction in the number of new cases, it is important to emphasise that this is not the time for us to rest on our oars, but rather a time to remain conscious of the pandemic and continue to intensify efforts at flattening the curve,” he said.

The Chief Medical Director, LASUTH, Prof. Adetokunbo Fabamwo, said the COVID-19 bay, which was donated by Idowu Osuolale Obasa, was built due to concern that all the isolation areas in the country were open wards clearly dedicated to the care of pandemic positive cases with suspected cases not admitted, thereby exposing the public to infection.

He said that LASUTH would now provide advance care through the high care unit to patients with respiratory tissue challenge and ensure they are treated and properly.

Also speaking, the state’s Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said that the state had been able to reduce COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently flattened it.