Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has provided an explanation for his unannounced visits to the Island Maternity Hospital and Lagos Island Hospital.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, the governor revealed that the aim of the surprise visits was to assess the state of affairs firsthand and ensure staff compliance with the health palliative scheme.
Sanwo-Olu stated that the purpose behind his visits was to observe the situation on the ground and confirm the effectiveness of the health palliative scheme. This scheme covers the expenses related to normal pregnancy delivery, Caesarean sections, and antenatal care conducted in state-owned hospitals. It forms part of the relief measures introduced by the state government to alleviate the impact of the fuel subsidy removal policy and assist residents facing financial hardships.
The governor emphasized the importance of being present to witness the conditions and needs of the healthcare facilities in order to provide targeted interventions.
Sanwo-Olu arrived unannounced at the Island Maternity Hospital, where he interacted with expectant mothers benefiting from the scheme.
“One of them, Odeyemi Omowunmi, is heavily pregnant but she is not yet due for delivery. The 37-year-old expectant mother was compelled to take admission weeks ahead of her scheduled delivery.
“Odeyemi’s forced hospitalisation was as a result of her unstable blood pressure — the condition that led to two previous miscarriages. In order not to lose the pregnancy, doctors advised Odeyemi be placed under constant observation until she is due for childbirth.
“The care is free of charge. The medical expenses are completely covered under the health palliative scheme declared by Governor Sanwo-Olu across the Lagos State-owned General Hospitals.
“The health palliative covers the cost of normal pregnancy delivery, Caesarean section and antenatal care done in state-owned hospitals.
The heavily pregnant woman, while speaking with Sanwo-Olu, “My husband and I live in Abule Egba, where I started antenatal care at a private clinic. I was seven and a half months into my pregnancy when they discovered that my blood pressure was too high. My husband feared that I might lose the pregnancy again, having had two successive miscarriages.
“We were referred to the Island Maternity Hospital for advanced medical examination when doctors told me I must be admitted for continued observation. My husband did not want me admitted initially because of the cost. But we were told the care is completely free. We didn’t believe it until I started getting treatment without anyone asking us to pay a dime.”
The statement revealed that hundreds of pregnant women have already benefited from the free delivery and antenatal care services offered across the state-owned hospitals since the commencement of the scheme in August.
Sanwo-Olu continued his assessment by visiting the Lagos Island Hospital, Odan, where he personally inspected the facilities in the 10-storey Doctors’ Quarters. This visit followed an elevator accident that resulted in the unfortunate death of a house officer. During the visit, the governor examined apartments, stores, and power supply systems within the quarters.
Dr. Segun Ogunlana, a representative of the House Officers, accompanied Governor Sanwo-Olu during his assessment at the Lagos Island Hospital. The governor’s actions underscore his commitment to ensuring the well-being of the state’s residents and the effectiveness of government initiatives aimed at providing essential services to the public.