To curb maternal, child and infant mortality, the Lagos state Government is committed to strengthening maternal and child health policies and programmes in the state, wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu.
According to a press release signed by the Director of Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, Dr. Sanwo-Olu stated this while welcoming the new year babies born in three state-owned hospitals.
The governor’s wife also presented gift items to the first babies who were born at Maternal Child Centre Eti-Osa, Ebute-Metta General Hospital and the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.
According to the release, Baby Ayinde, a male who weighed 3.1kg, delivered at exactly 12:01 AM by Mrs. Ayinde is the first baby of the year at the Eti-Osa Maternal Child Centre.
Baby Iromain, a female who weighed 2.9Kg and delivered at 12:02 AM by Mrs. Iromain is the first baby of the year at Ebute-Metta General Hospital, while first babies of the year at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja are triplets delivered through cesarean section by Mrs. Olufoye. The first child, a female, weighing 2.2kg was delivered at exactly 12:07 am; the second child, a male who weighed 2kg was delivered at 12:08 am while the third child, a female who weighed 2.1kg was delivered by 12:09 am.
Welcoming the first babies at these hospitals, Sanwo-Olu stated welcoming newborns is a symbolic and significant event that brings forth the assurance that human heritage is carried on to the next generation.
While noting that the Lagos State Government through the Health Ministry has continued to deliver its mandate of providing qualitative and efficient health care services to all residents in the State, the First Lady said the state remained committed to programmes aimed at curbing maternal deaths.
She noted that the implementation of the maternal and child health policies, strategies and programmes by the Lagos government has helped to improve maternal and child health indices in the state.
She added that the upgrading and construction of new maternal and child care facilities and the provision of accessible and affordable mother and child services are geared towards reducing the high morbidity and mortality among women and under-five children in the State.
She said, “I wish to commend the health family for the continuing infrastructural upgrade; provision of relevant equipment, positive attitudinal change in our workers, and human capacity development, all leading to some measure of efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery and enhanced customer satisfaction.
“I also wish to acknowledge the efforts of the Hospital Management in the provision of a conducive and serene environment for the delivery of healthcare services in these hospitals.”
While congratulating the parents of the newborn, the First Lady commended all philanthropists, corporate bodies, Non-governmental organisations, and civil society groups involved in any form of partnership towards complementing the vision and efforts of the State government in the health sector and also implored others to join to make an impact in the lives of families.
She prayed that the newborns are blessed with good health and long life to grow up to become useful citizens of the state and nation.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi appreciated the wife of the Lagos State Governor for sustaining the annual First Baby of the Year event, reiterating 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 Lagos State.
Abayomi explained further that the present administration under the leadership of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu remains committed to the reduction of maternal and child mortality adding that available statistics have shown that the maternal and child health indices in Lagos are improving.
