Lagos invests N2.5 billion on health equipment in 2017, Commissioner says
The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, has said that the state spent not less than N2.5 billion on procurement of equipment alone this year.
Dr. Idris disclosed this today while briefing the media on the achievements of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration in 2017 on access and quality of healthcare in secondary & tertiary and health facilities in Lagos.
He said the equipment are being installed in hospitals that requested for them.
While unveiling the infrastructure upgrade and provision of the contemporary medical equipment by the current administration, Dr Idris said the health sector in the state had witnessed an “alarmingly progressive” increase in the health facility utilization trends for key health care services, adding that the state had embarked on aggressive infrastructural development since May 2015.
“Outstanding projects which have been completed to date include the construction and equipping of New Critical Care Unit in Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Rehabilitation of Onikan Health Centre and Doctors Staff quarters at General Hospital Lagos, Epe Staff quarters as well as the School of Nursing Hostel at the General Hospital Alimosho.
“Some re-awarded projects at various stages of completion include MCC Lekki, MCC Badagry, MCC Epe and School of Basic Medical Sciences and Ayinke House, LASUTH,
“New Health Sector Infrastructural Development Projects embarked upon by this administration include Construction of Helipad at LASUTH, Purchase of 20 Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) ambulances, Purchase of 26 transport ambulances, power generators and mobile x-ray machines for all the Secondary and Tertiary health facilities,” he said.
He also listed other infrastructural upgrades which include the installation of additional Mortuary refrigerators at Ikorodu and Mainland Hospital Mortuaries; completion of the Renovation/ Upgrading of Epe General Hospital (Phase One- Renovation of theatre complex, X-ray, Laboratory, Pharmacy, OPD and Accident & Emergency) and Prince Ebeano Mother and Child Unit and the commissioning of the General Hospital, Akodo, donated by Prince Ebeano Supermarkets on October 19. Also, he said, renovation works were carried out in phases in several General Hospitals within the State.
Dr. Idris stated that the huge investment in the health sector by this administration is triggered by the noble goal that every Lagosian enjoys unfettered access to qualitative healthcare without significant geographical, financial, cultural or political barriers.
“With an unwavering commitment towards enthroning an efficient and effective system for healthcare service delivery in the State health sector in line with international best practices, His Excellency, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, the Governor of Lagos State also graciously approved the Global procurement of equipment necessary for the delivery of qualitative healthcare in Lagos State Secondary Healthcare Facilities and the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in 2016 with the objective of upgrading healthcare service delivery in the State public health facilities for the optimum benefit of Lagos residents.
“The contract for the procurement of the equipment was subsequently awarded to four contractors via a competitive bidding process in compliance with the Public Procurement Law of Lagos State. The equipment categories are General Out-Patient Department (OPD) equipment, Anaesthetic equipment, Theatre equipment, Laboratory equipment and equipment for the use of various units in LASUTH.”
According to Idris, these huge investments in infrastructural upgrade and procurement of equipment in the health sector would help foster an enabling environment for the implementation and take-off of the much awaited Lagos State Health Scheme (LSHS) which will ensure that residents have unfettered access to qualitative care.
“With these in place, Lagosians are readily offered the opportunity of making choices of health care delivery within a wide range of well renovated and fully equipped hospitals. The scheme will reduce out of pocket expenses on medical care, promote access to qualitative health care, reduce incidence of chronic diseases as citizenry will be encouraged to present earlier as financial barrier to positive health seeking behaviors would have been removed,” he stated.
The Commissioner however appealed to health workers to put the equipment to good use and ensure that they are well maintained, protected and preserved to serve the purpose of which they were procured.
