As the popular maxim goes, “Health is wealth.” Thus, in an era, where strained health care services and shortages of medical equipment are the order of the day, getting adequate health care delivery has become a global challenge.
The Coronavirus pandemic has, therefore, brought this challenge to the fore all over the world. Nigeria and Lagos State in particular, are not left out.
When more than a month ago, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, announced a free medical care for expectant mothers as well as emergency/casualty cases during the lockdown, not many believed him. A large number of Lagosians saw Mr. Governor’s declaration as a mission impossible and another means of scoring a cheap political point.
However, it has been praise galore for both Mr. Governor and the Health Family as beneficiaries all over Lagos State-owned hospitals daily enjoy health care deliveries ranging from registration, consultations, laboratory tests, surgeries and drugs. Services like ante-natal and normal/Caesarian Section deliveries are also being rendered at the Maternal and Child Care Centers at no cost.
The story is not different at Ikorodu General Hospital. From registration to the last treatment as well as drugs from the hospital pharmacy, patients give numerous testimonies everyday that all services are being given at no cost. Aside these testimonies, health workers at Ikorodu General Hospital were openly praised by beneficiaries of the health largesse for their humane, kind and timely treatments. Some of the beneficiaries were interviewed and they gave their appreciations.
Mrs. Elizabeth Isioma, a booked/registered patient at Ikorodu General Hospital, disclosed that, “I was delivered of my baby through Caesarian Section at Ikorodu General Hospital. When I first heard the news that Mr. Governor declared all health services free for pregnant women, I thought it was just a political gimmick, but when I got to Ikorodu General Hospital, everything as Mr. Governor promised, was carried out to the letter. The surgery, the drugs and other treatments were free. The doctors and nurses equally deserve my appreciation because they ensured that I was delivered of my baby safely.”
Another registered patient, Mrs. Adegbola Omoshalewa, appreciated Mr. Governor’s kind gesture thus: “I was delivered of my baby at Ikorodu general Hospital and since I put to bed, I’ve not paid a dime for my treatment. My baby is receiving treatment presently at the intensive care unit; the oxygen, drugs and other treatments he had received so far had been free. My appreciation goes to the State Governor, His Excellency, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the management of Ikorodu General Hospital for their kindness. The hospital’s doctors and nurses, in particular, deserve my gratitude. May God bless them all.”
Mrs. Ajose Funmilayo was an unregistered patient. She stated that, “I was rushed to Ikorodu General Hospital because the private hospitals refused to attend to me. Despite the fact that I wasn’t registered at Ikorodu General Hospital, the nurses attended to me and I was able to enjoy the free services that Mr. Governor promised the citizens of the State. The drugs, the drips and other treatments that were administered were all free of charge, including the food. The doctors and nurses did all they could to make sure I was delivered of my baby safely. I’m indeed amazed at the excellent services being rendered at Ikorodu General Hospital. I would like to say a big thank you to the Lagos State Governor as well as the doctors, nurses and other health workers at Ikorodu General Hospital that rendered the free services.”
Mr. Akoh Abutu also rushed his wife, an unregistered patient, to Ikorodu General Hospital to be delivered of her baby. Hear him, “This is the first time my wife and I would patronize Ikorodu General Hospital. I’m so impressed with all that I’ve seen here so far. Lagos State Government has tried a lot; I had never witnessed such services been rendered until today. Even the doctors and nurses are so good to us. I thank God my wife put to bed successfully at the Ikorodu General Hospital and that all services rendered so far were at no cost. I appreciate their efforts. May God bless them all.”
These and more are the testimonies of the beneficiaries of the Lagos State free health care services during the Covid 19 pandemic lockdown. The free services are still ongoing at Ikorodu General Hospital while the health workers are fully on ground to render quality services to Ikorodu people and its environs.