THE COMMISSIONING OF FREE AMBULANCE SERVICES AND OTHER HEALTH SECTOR MATTERS
Protocol
In my inaugural address, I pledged my total commitment to run a government that will leave no one behind; a government that will implement programmes that make life simpler, easier and happier for our people.
Today we are launching the Free Ambulance Service as a demonstration of our commitment to that pledge. This is also in consonance with this administration’s mantra of running a government of“continuity with improvement”.
I recall, with much satisfaction, the great strides we have witnessed in the health sector in the last 16years;commencing from the foundational leaps of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the significant landmarks of BabatundeRajiFashola (SAN).
The idea of this Free Ambulance Service is borne out of our desire to bring quality health service closer to our people particularly those in emergency situationsor conditions.
We are commencing this service, firstly with 26 Transport Ambulances which will be stationed at our 26 General Hospitals within the State for easy access.
In addition to this, we have restructured the State Emergency Ambulance Servicesand increased the fleet of new Mobile Intensive Care Units by 20 bringing the total number to 33 MICUs. This will widen the coverage of our servicesbeyond the metropolis to the hinterlands within the State. In total, we are launching 46 new ambulances today.
We have constructed 14 new ambulance points and also renovated the 11 existing points with the newcubicles and bay models to bring the total to 25 ambulance points across the State.
This new Ambulance Service will operate round the clock at the community level to reduce the response time to distress calls.
We have invested a lot of efforts in improving the health sector in our State. The objective of this programme is to give community health back to our people through a Primary Health Care Service that works every hour of the day and everyday of the week.
All our General Hospitals will now have new mobile X-Ray machines to reduce the cost of patients doing X-Ray outside the hospitals. Additional equipment are on the way.
Other components of this programmewhich we have set in motion include:
- The upgrading of the infrastructure, facilities and services of the Epe, Badagry, Ikorodu, Alimosho and Gbagada General Hospitals as well as Lekki and AmuwoOdofin Maternal and Child Centres to international standard.
- The development of a Lagos State Medical Park to deliver world–class medical services as well as and promote medical tourism; and
- The establishment of an effective and efficient Health Insurance programme as provided for by the Lagos State Health Scheme Law.
- Approval has been given for the recruitment of more Para-Medic staff and Special Medical Co-ordinators to ensure 24-7 service to the citizens.
- Our medical directors have renewed their commitment to ensure that their services are available 24-7 to ensure a good linkage with the new ambulance services.
- Drugs are to be made available more effectively at all our General Hospitals than before.
I want to assure all Lagosians that these programmes are on course. Expressions of interest have been requested from reputable organisations for the upgrade of the General Hospitals and the construction of the State Medical Park.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, let me express our appreciation for the support and partnership provided by our development partners. Backed by a truly remarkable team of professionals, this administration once again reiterates its resolvethat Lagos will continue to be the front-runner in the provision of quality healthcare in Nigeria and will attain greater heights as we lead by example through responsible and responsive governance.
Thank you and God bless.
ItesiwajuiluEko, lo je wal’ogun!!!
Akinwunmi Ambode
Governor of Lagos State,
Alausa.
31st August, 2015.