Subair Mohammed
Lagos State General Hospitals and Primary Health Centres have announced free antenatal care and child delivery services to pregnant women resident in Lagos State.
According to the director, Public affairs, Ministry of Health, Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, the offer was part of the rolled-out relief measures recently announced by the State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to cushion the hardship being faced by residents as a result of fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government.
Recall that Governor Sanwo-Olu following the State’s Security Council meeting held on Monday, July 31, 2023, had directed General Hospitals and Primary Health Care Centres to offer free ante-natal care and child delivery services; normal and cesarean section, to expectant mothers to ease the burden of the fuel subsidy removal on Lagosians.
Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye during his compliance monitoring visits to some State hospitals including the Ifako-Ijaiye and Isolo General Hospitals over the weekend, expressed satisfaction at the level of compliance to the free ante-natal and child delivery services.
He explained that the Governor Sanwo-Olu led administration recognizing the prime place of maternal and child health in the society thoughtfully issued the directive for free medical intervention to pregnant women to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal on expectant families.
In his words: “The Governor recognized that the cost of ante-natal care and child delivery services would add to the burden of fuel subsidy removal on cost of living for expectant parents, and this is why the Governor announced the free medical intervention as part of the rolled out measures to ease off the burden.
“I am impressed by the level of compliance to Mr. Governor’s free ante-natal and child delivery service directive at the health facilities visited. Having gone round the ANC clinics, post-delivery wards and baby nurseries at the Ifako-Ijaiye and Isolo General Hospitals, it is heartwarming to see the smiles on the faces of newly born and their parents.
“I would like to thank the management of these hospitals and the health workers for quickly putting in place modalities and carrying out the Governor’s directive to the letter, this is an indication that all government institution are in sync regarding the harsh reality of fuel subsidy removal and the intervention to ameliorate the suffering of citizens”, he said.
Speaking in the same vein, the Medical Director of Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital, Dr. Bamidele Mustapha disclosed that the Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital complied with the free health intervention almost immediately, with no fewer than 30 people already benefiting from free ante-natal and child delivery services including cesarean sections, at no cost to the beneficiaries.
Bamidele stated further that that the State Government has been very supportive and committed to the welfare and wellbeing of mothers and children especially with regards to quality, efficient and accessible health service delivery in the State adding that the provision of the free ante-natal services had put smiles on the faces of residents who originally could not afford the cost of delivery.
A beneficiary of the free child delivery service at the Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital, Mrs Oluwademilade Mustapha who delivered a baby boy through caesarian section lauded the free medical service initiative of the State Government. She thanked the team of medical staff who attended to her noting however that the attitude of the nurses who attended to her were excellent contrary to the opinion she had before coming to the hospital.
“I am very happy with my experience in this hospital. My experience here is contrary to the rumors I have heard about nurses in government hospitals. Nurses here are friendly, they take good care of patients and all treatments have been free of charge. I thank the Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu for this opportunity” She said.
Another beneficiary, Mrs Eniola Samuel, who was also delivered a baby boy at the General Hospital, Isolo thanked God and the team of medical staff at the facility for saving her life from the complications she encountered during childbirth. She expressed satisfaction at the quality of healthcare she received free of charge. While appreciating the Governor of Lagos State for introducing the initiative, Samuel noted that the intervention helped save her life.
“I thank God Almighty for life, I appreciate God for using the doctors and nurses in this hospital to save my life. God empowered them to keep me alive despite the complications I encountered during child birth. I am also very surprised that up to this moment, I have not been made to pay for anything, and I have been told that I will not be charged for my treatment here. I really appreciate the Lagos State Government for this great opportunity” She said.
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