New Health, New Lift, as Lagos Community Gets 1st Medical Centre

 

 

 

 

24-point Demand: Doctors Issue 14-Day Ultimatum

 

NOn-availability of functional and accessible private or public health facilities in several communities is a major contributor to child and maternal mortality. Hundreds of communities across the Federation are currently faced with such challenge and quite often, it is the women and children who bear the brunt. The result is often the unacceptably high maternal, chld and infant deaths recorded in the country.

A case in point is Ibiye community in Agbara area of Lagos. Until last week when a modern health facility with ultra modern equipment was officially commissioned, numerous incidences of maternal and child deaths were order of the day especially as the nearest General Hospital to the community is about 30 kilometres away in Badagry.  Following the condition of the road, on a good day, it will take a patient about 45 minutes to get there.

The nearest Primary Healthcare, PHC, to Ibiye, though not as far as Badagry, may take about 30 minutes if traffic is good.

Ibiye community is one out of the hundreds of communities across Nigeria lacking health facilities.

However, respite came on the way of the community when Ibijola Medical Centre was officially opened in the area.  Residents of the community can now heave a sigh of relief that at last much anticipated help has arrived

At the commissioning, former Health Commissioner in Lagos, Dr. Leke Pitan, said there is need for government to encourage building of hospitals in rural areas.

Pitan, who opined that government should buy into private facilities in rural areas stated: “There is need for government to adopt facilities like Ibijola as healthcare providers on behalf of the government for the community.

“That is the kind of phase governance must now follow to ensure better and quality healthcare services. Whether public or private, they must be seen as one part of the health system.  There are various things available that have been time tested in other climes. When government adopts these hospitals, other facilities will strive to meet up to standards. It will serve as a stimulus in the health sector.” he explained.

Pitan who described the opening of the hospital in such a rural area as an uncommon development lauded efforts of the Chief Medical Director of the Hospital, Dr Adeyeye Arigbabuwo.

“The hospital is certainly going to help people in the community; it is a place all of them who need medical help will run to.”  Giving an insight into the establishment of the hospital, Arigbabuwo, the Founder, who noted that the vision of Ibijola is to ensure that mothers and their children die no more, said Community Based Health Insurance would be introduced as part of efforts to ensure that medical services are affordable for all in the community.

The hospital was established to provide affordable, accessible and available healthcare services for the community and environs.

Health education programme

Arigbabuwo noted the vision of the hospital was to ensure better life for mothers and their children said the hospital has fashioned out a health education programme for women in the community, particularly pregnant women. “Mother must live, babies must live, it is no more acceptable to us the high mortality rate for mothers and children. We have fashioned out health education including support for traditional birth attendants. We will catch the pregnant women young. If you cannot afford the cost of treatment, we will give you a buffer.

Executive Chairman of Ato Awori, Local Council Development Area, LCDA, charged Ibiye community and environs to take ownership of the hospital as well as support the facility. “I advice that they tap into the health insurance, the medical director has promised.   The high point of the commissioning of the 12 – bedded facility with basic equipment was the free screening for blood pressure, urine, blood sugar, and cholesterol checks amongst others.

By  Chioma Obinna

Vanguard