Lagos
State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Thursday handed over the
fifth 24- hour Comprehensive Primary Health Care Centre in Eredo, Epe
stressing that with the commissioning, the government is laying the
solid foundation for a medical care referral system predicated on a
robust primary healthcare that goes from primary to secondary and
tertiary levels.
The
Governor who spoke at Eredo, Epe while handing over the comprehensive
centre added that what the present administration seeks to achieve is to
build a referral health care system that moves from a robust and
intensive grassroots healthcare starting from 24 hour service delivery
at the various local governments through to the general hospitals up to
the teaching hospital.
“This
is the only way we can fully integrate, we can redistribute our assets
and optimize them, if we put all our eggs in one basket and everybody
heads to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital LASUTH) in Ikeja for
every small ailment, the healthcare system will not serve our need”.
“A
referral system that is aggregated through the primary to the secondary
and tertiary level is the model that has succeeded in every part of the
world and it is the model that we are committed to applying here to
make healthcare a local success here”, he explained.
The
Governor stated that as the system take roots; there will come a time
where no doctor will attend to any patient in the general hospital or in
the teaching hospital unless such a person has a referral from the
primary healthcare centre.
“If
you go to the United Kingdom today, no doctor in any specialist
hospital will attend to you until you have reference from your general
practitioner.
So those things you have gone to look for in the United
Kingdom is now in your local government. This is your general
practitioner.
So, please use it so that we can deepen the access for
mothers and children and also for adults, all sorts of screening for
diabetes, for tuberculosis for cancer and all of that have been provided
here so there is no need for anybody to travel a distance”.
Governor
Fashola gave a commitment that, “from today we commit to making
grassroots healthcare a local matter in Eredo Local Council Development
Area. From today, the treatment of malaria, vaccination of our children,
antenatal care, delivery of normal birth will become a local matter in
Eredo Local Council Development Area”.
He
commended the host chairman, Hon Sabiu Adelaja – Omolaja for embracing
the collaborative initiative by the State Government to assist local
governments develop at least one flagship centre across the 57Local
Governments and Local Council Development Areas.
The
Governor also commended the State Ministry of Health and particularly
acknowledged the leadership and commitment provided by Dr (Mrs) Yewande
Adeshina in the way she has taken responsibility for the Comprehensive
Primary Health Care Centres.
He
reminded the community members, community leaders, Local Government
Chairmen, Councilors and everyone that the flagship PHCC are the assets
of the people which may require to be maintained from time to time keep
it in good state.
Speaking
earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr (Mrs)
Yewande Adeshina said the completion and handing over of the flagship
Primary Health Care Centre is a reminder that Local and State
Governments must work together to create a sustainable and affordable
healthcare system.
She
said in 2012, the Eredo Primary Health Care Centre recorded 97 babies’
deliveries, 2,262 children receiving immunization, 1,085 received
antenatal cases, 1,575 adults were seen for mostly malaria and 276
family planning services were provided.
She
added that since January this year when the revitalization programme
came to Eredo PHC, 55 babies have been delivered which is more than half
of the babies delivered last year showing an improvement in the
services.
“So
far this year, 1,903 children have been immunized which is more than
half of the number immunized last year. 847 ante-natal cases have been
seen so far which is more than half of what was seen the whole of last
year, 89 family planning cases have been seen and all of these show that
the revitalization programme has made a tremendous impact on healthcare
delivery in Eredo LCDA”.
“Anytime
you come here there would be a doctor, there would be a nurse and the
laboratory would open where you can do your tests. There would be people
to open cards for you.
The services would be available on a 24 hours
basis. Screening is being provided for all ailments like tuberculosis,
general care, hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, malaria, H.I.V AIDS,
all free of charge”, she explained.
Speaking
earlier, the Chairman of Eredo Local Council Development Area, Hon
Sabiu Omolaja Adelaja expressed the appreciation of the LCDA to the
Governor for the upgraded PHC.
In
a goodwill message, the Alara of Ilara, Oba Akeem Adesanya commended
the Governor for his investment in all sectors including health saying
he is a first among equals among other Governors nationwide.
The
Governor later cut the tape to formally hand over the comprehensive
Primary Health Centre before taking a tour of the facility at the
ceremony witnessed by special guests like Chairman of the House Assembly
Committee on Health, Hon Suru Avoseh, a former First Lady of Lagos
State, Lady Doja Otedola, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health,
Dr Segun Olugbile and traditional rulers from the Epe division.
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