Mrs.
Bolanle Ambode
By Tribuneonline
Mrs. Bolanle Ambode presented gifts to
the first babies (twins) of the year, born 12:23 am and 12:24 am, weighing 2.9kg & 3.25kg
respectively, at the Ikorodu General Hospital.
Wife
of Lagos State Governor, Mrs Bolanle, has underscored the importance of routine
immunization and post-natal care for the survival and growth of newborns,
saying it was important for nursing mothers to pay greater attention to the
health of their children.
The
governor’s wife also enjoined expectant mothers in the state to justify
government’s huge investment in maternal and infant health care by patronizing
government’s health care facilities and staying away from quacks.
She
gave the counsel while presenting gifts to first babies of the year at three
General Hospitals in the state.
At
Ikorodu, the first babies were twins delivered at 12:23 am and 12:24
am weighing 2.9kg and 3.29kg respectively, while at Gbagada the first baby
weighing 3.4kg delivered at 1:05 am. At Island Maternity, the first
baby was delivered at 12:05 am and she weighed 3.3kg.
Mother’s
packs, baby essentials, and other baby gifts were presented to the babies and
their parents and other babies in the ward by the wife of the Governor.
According
to her, just like the new year, the birth of a new baby brings hope,
saying such was why adequate care must be accorded, newborns.
“The
arrival of a newborn generally symbolizes passing the baton to the next
generation. In our culture as in many others, a new baby is a messenger of
hope, indicating good fortune for the family and society.
“From
the depths of my heart, I congratulate and rejoice with the happy parents. As I
do so, however, I wish to emphasize that post-natal care of the baby is just as
important as the ante-natal.
“Therefore,
mothers must take all necessary steps to ensure the well-being and good health
of their babies. These include strict obedience of instructions of the medical
personnel, as well as good care and attention to themselves,” she said.
Mrs
Ambode specifically urged nursing mothers to take advantage of the primary
healthcare centres provided by the state government to ensure a full complement
of routine immunization for their children, and as well make good use of family
planning.
She
assured that the present administration in the state placed a high premium on
health issues especially maternal and infant health.
She
said that as part of contribution to health sector, the Committee of Wives of
Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), a group which she chaired, provided high
dependency units, neonatal care units, and other medical equipment and
resources to enhance the quality of maternal and child care services, assuring
that more would be done in 2018.
She
also commended the health family in the state for the progressive improvement
in health service delivery to the people, just as she appreciated corporate
donors, philanthropists and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) for their
support.
“We
also commend the untiring commitment of this administration to continuous
infrastructure upgrade, provision of modern equipment and human resource
development in the health sector,” Mrs Ambode said.
Commissioner
for Health, Dr Jide Idris, in his remarks, said the event was symbolic
being the first activity of government in the year and also exemplifying the
priority given to healthcare delivery in the state.
Idris
assured that with the exemplary leadership of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, the
state government would continue to stimulate the required quality of health
service delivery that was poised to address existing health gaps as well as
challenges that might emerge in future.
Besides,
Idris urged the people to embrace a healthy lifestyle, refrain from excessive
alcohol, smoking and ensure their environment is clean.
Also,
Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Hon Segun Olulada,
called for the strengthening of the referral system to reduce pressure on
General Hospitals, saying people should imbibe the culture of first visiting
Primary Healthcare centres which had been repositioned in the state.
He
expressed optimism that the state Health Insurance Scheme billed to start this
year would expand access to healthcare.
The
programme is held annually in Lagos State to celebrate the first baby born in
the state.
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