Epe General Hospital now Federal Medical Center ..as FG and LSG signs MOU

 Epe General Hospital now Federal Medical Center ......as FG and  LSG signs MOU

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has emphasized the need for a resilient healthcare system capable of handling daily emergencies and large-scale incidents.

He made the call at the inaugural Lagos Trauma Conference, with the theme "Advanced Trauma and Emergency Healthcare Systems for a Thriving Lagos," identifying reforms that will improve trauma care and emergency response in the state. 

Highlighting the steps Lagos is taking to improve trauma care, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Lagos State Government and the Federal Ministry of Health to officially transfer the General Hospital in Epe to the Federal Government for conversion into the Federal Medical Centre, Epe (FMC Epe). 

Presenting a keynote address, Governor Sanwo-Olu, acknowledged the dedication of healthcare professionals and the private sector to shaping the future of healthcare in Lagos. "The robust conversations we’ve had on enhancing trauma care and emergency healthcare systems have reaffirmed our vision of a thriving Lagos," he stated. 

The Governor reiterated the importance of financial accessibility in trauma care, announcing plans to expand the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme to cover emergency services. 

He also said, an Emergency Care Fund would be established to provide trauma care for the most vulnerable residents, ensuring that no one is denied life-saving care due to an inability to pay. “As we strive for universal healthcare access, we must ensure that no life is lost due to an inability to pay for treatment,” Sanwo-Olu promised 

Earlier, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play a pivotal role in the healthcare reforms in Lagos, acknowledged that the transfer of the Epe General Hospital to the Federal Government marked a turning point for healthcare delivery in the area.

 "This project is a testament to the vision and leadership of our dear President, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, adding that " the FMC Epe will serve the rapidly growing population in Epe and its environs ". he remarked

Dr. Alausa pointed out that, the specialized services that will be available at the new FMC Epe, includes, paediatric and neonatal intensive care, advanced surgical procedures such as open-heart surgeries, a state-of-the-art trauma center, and kidney transplant services. 

" Government will establish a School of Nursing and a Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (FEDCAM) in Epe ". he affirmed

The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, drawing from her experience as a medical doctor, emphasised that, the need for a trauma care system is undeniable, as emergencies can affect anyone at any time, whether through road accidents, domestic violence, or natural disasters. " Identifying the importance of preparedness while recalling her proactive efforts during political campaigns and public events to ensure hospitals were ready to handle potential emergencies.

Dr. Ibijoke called for a return to grassroots health education, suggesting that schools reintroduce programs like the Red Cross, Girls’ Guide, and Boy Scouts, where students are trained in basic life support. "Catching them young will ensure a future generation of first responders who are well-equipped to handle emergency situations," she noted.

Presenting a paper on ' Pre-Hospital Emergency Care in Lagos: the Past, Present and Future' , the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, called for a coordinated response to trauma incidents. 

He stated, “We must ensure that our emergency response systems are integrated and that all healthcare providers are trained in trauma management, including developing a unified communication strategy that allows for seamless coordination during emergencies.”

Dr. Ogboye stated that data collection was important in improving trauma care, because, " understanding the patterns and causes of trauma in our communities will help us implement targeted prevention strategies,” he remarked. 

He called for the establishment of a centralized trauma registry that can provide insights into patient outcomes and service delivery.

In her remarks, Dr. Ogunyemi emphasized the importance of mental health support for healthcare professionals dealing with trauma cases, adding that, efforts are ongoing to provide psychosocial support to ensure that frontline workers remain resilient.

The event drew participation from all walks of life including healthcare professional from the public and private sector, the Nigeria Police, Lagos State Ambulance Service, Lagos State Emergency Service and private healthcare providers.

NMA collaborates to boost services and tackle medical tourism. By Sherifat Oyediran, Lagos.

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has also proposed adopting public-private Partnerships (PPPs) in the health sector to enhance sustainability and efficiency and reverse medical tourism in favour of the country.

The proposal was made during a medical expo held by the association to find ways of strengthening Nigeria’s private health industry and reducing the number of health workers leaving for greener pastures.

NMA President, prof. Bala Audu explained that the adverse effects of medical tourism would get worse unless an intervention is done as a nation.

According to him, the global market for medical tourism is expected to reach $180 billion by 2030 as Nigeria contributes as an exporter of patients with an annual flight capital of over $2 billion to medical tourism.

Audu also explained that the intervention is geared towards the provision of national policy, backed by fiscal policies to boost the private and public-private partnership that will strategically place Nigeria at face value with the most competitive destinations of medical tourism, in addition to strengthening international best practices.

Speaking on the current challenges faced by the association, Prof Audu noted that " members were overstretched due to excess workload ".

" The few professionals remaining in the country struggled to give their best to ensure the same quality of health care provided abroad, thereby overworking themselves ". He noted

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, said "It is important that the government ensures that the healthcare space is protected to accommodate private investment ".

In an interview with newsmen, the 1st Vice President of NMA, Dr Benjamin Olowojebutu, listed the importance of reversing medical tourism, including building trust, improving health care services, and reducing Japa syndrome, stressing that for these reasons, the association had to be at the forefront.

Olowojebutu, who is also the chairman Local Organizing Committee of the expo pointed out that, " partnering with private equity, private institutions will contribute significantly to fixing the problem.

According to him, "We have a hospital that does 16 kidney transplants every month ", we have a hospital that can carry out cardiovascular surgery in a few hours and " we have health experts coming from Niger, Mali, to see what we do".

Three people survive Iyana Iba road accident as ten bodies are taken to the mortuary.

A preliminary report on the road traffic accident that occurred at Abule Osun inwards Iyana Iba, along Lagos Badagry expressway says, ten people lost their lives, while three who were critically injured are receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.  

According to a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, it was discovered that, the vehicles involved in the accident were a Toyota Sienna bus, registration number BDG 342 FS, with passengers from the East and a parked SHACMAN truck, registration number unknown

" Further investigations revealed that the truck, which was laden with granite, was parked on the road shutting down about half of the carriage way, while the Toyota Sienna on top speed, unknowingly crashed into the parked truck from behind ". Oke-Osanyintolu

The LASEMA boss said that, who noted that Ten people lost their lives to the accident and  three critically injured, gave a breakdown of the figures as follows :

● 3 male adults 

● 4 female adults 

● 2 female children 

● 1 male child.

The statement four explained that, the injured passengers were taken to the hospital by officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps, (FRSC) before the arrival of the Agency's LRT.

 

Those at the hospital are :

● 1 female adult.

● 2 children (male and female)

Julie Ekong.

FRCN Lagos markes 64th Independence Day in Grand style.

 

Radio Nigeria Lagos Operations today was lit, as it had its First Edition of the Independence Day Celebration at the Broadcasting House, Ikoyi.

It was a gathering of some of the best schools in Lagos. The pupils had drama, poetry, cooking competitions, match past and dance drama presentations. 

The Director of Lagos Operations, Mrs Bolanle Owoyemi, saw the pupils' excellent performance and prayed that they would grow in wisdom and good health. 

Some Management Staff were also present. Winners were handsomely rewarded as they look forward to another exciting moment come next year.

The Programmes Department led by Madam Maria Ihuoma, the Assistant Director Programme, put together the event. 

Checkers Custard, Avanti Industries Ltd, Topisto tomato paste, Nigeria Bottling Company, Cway, Mr Bigger, Mr Ohio Peak, and Three Crown Milk UAC food  and YALE biscuits sponsored the event.

Here are some of the clips from the event.

Two Governors, Katsina and Akwa Ibom to grace Media Icons 2024.

NUJ TO HONOUR MEDIA PROFESSIONALS, PICKS KATSINA AND AKWA IBOM GOVS AS SPECIAL GUESTS OF HONOUR

All is now set for the third edition of the Milestone Recognition of Media Icons in Nigeria .

The annual event having grown in leaps and bounds has become a delight among media gurus showcasing their immense contributions to the pen fraternity.

In a statement, the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Otunba Gbenga Onayiga, said the Governor of Katsina State, Mallam Dikko Umar Radda, Ph.D, CON and  his counterpart in Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno will be Special Guests of Honour. 

Onayiga added that a past recipient of the award and former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Segun Osoba, will be the Father of the Day. 

Veteran journalists listed for this year’s honour are former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Moses Ekpo, MFR, Pa Felix Adenaike, Dr Ladan Salihu, Ms Comfort Obi, Dr Yemi Farounbi, Dr Haroun Adamu, Professor Tonnie Iredia, Professor Umar Pate and Mrs Bisi Amagada.

Others include: Comrade Ini Ememobong, Mallam Yakub Mohammed, Mr Dan Agbese, Dr Eddie Iroh, Mr Lade Bonuola, Mr Nosa Igiebor, Mrs Toun Okewale Sonaiya, Mrs Comfort Umanah, HRH Eze Geo Anika, Mrs Aina Lewis, Chief Dare Babarinsa, Pa Jola Ogunlusi, Usman Shuaibu Leman.

This year’s edition of Milestone Recognition of Media Icons in Nigeria which was introduced by the National Secretariat of NUJ to celebrate living legends in journalism, will take place on THURSDAY 17TH OCTOBER, 2024 at LAGOS AIRPORT HOTEL, IKEJA from 2pm.

Those honoured in the past include Pa Sam Amuka-Pemu, Aremo Segun Osoba, Prince Henry Odukomaya, Senator Chris Anyanwu, Alhaji Najeem Jimoh, Dr Danladi Bako, Prince Nduka Obaigbena and Dr John Momoh.

Governor Radda Hosts National Leadership of NUJ, Advocates for Constructive Media Engagement.

The Executive Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda PhD CON, today played host to the leadership of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) led by its National President, Dr. Chris Isiguzo, during a breakfast meeting held at the Government House, Katsina. The delegation also included the Vice President of NUJ Northwest, Mohammed Tukur.

During the meeting, Governor Radda expressed his appreciation for the visit and commended the NUJ team for their commitment to understanding the realities on the ground by touring various parts of Katsina State within a short period. 

The Governor emphasized the crucial role of the media in shaping public perception and called on journalists to prioritize truthful reporting, underlining his belief in constructive criticism. He firmly stated that criticisms aimed at undermining his integrity would not be tolerated.

Governor Radda remarked, "If you are doing well, you will surely know you are doing well, and whatever anybody says won't bother you. I was elected by the people, and I am committed to working for the people." He also expressed his intention to attend the upcoming NUJ award ceremony next month, recognizing the significant contributions of the media in supporting his administration.

The Governor took the opportunity to express his gratitude to the state chapter of the NUJ for its ongoing support in projecting the activities and achievements of his government. He highlighted the positive working relationship between his administration and the media, noting the critical role the press plays in fostering transparency and accountability in governance.

Dr. Chris Isiguzo, took the opportunity to share his observations from a tour of Katsina’s historic sites, including the Katsina Museum, Gobarau Minaret, and the iconic Tower. He praised the Governor for his administration's commitment to preserving these cultural and historical monuments, noting that such sites are not only valuable for their historical significance but also as potential sources of revenue and tourism for the state.

"As I visited these sites, I was impressed by the plans in place to renovate and maintain them. These monuments are assets that, when properly managed, can generate revenue and promote tourism, much like the pyramids of Egypt or other significant historical sites around the world," Dr. Isiguzo noted.

Dr. Isiguzo also extended an invitation to Governor Radda to attend the forthcoming NUJ Milestone Recognition of Media Icons in Nigeria, where the Governor will be honored as the "Worker/Media Friendly Governor." The event is scheduled to take place on October 17, 2024, in Ikeja, Lagos State.

Embrace good driving culture: FRSC urges motorists as Nigeria celebrates 64th independence .

As Nigeria celebrates its independence, the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, has urged Nigerians to embrace safety ideals, sustain positive driving behaviour, avoid negative ones, and adhere to all traffic rules and regulations.

This is to ensure the free flow of traffic and the safety of road users' lives and property during and after the 64th Independence Day celebration.

The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed, emphasized the need for a crash-free celebration.

According to him, "the Federal Road Safety Corps is aware of how much the country cherishes its independence going by the series of festivities that form part of the celebration, and warmly aligns in totality with the entire citizens in this historic moment".

He admonished motorists to apply all cautionary measures to achieve a crash-free Independence celebration" while assuring full deployment of operational facilities across traffic-prone areas and others to ensure a hitch-free movement of persons and goods.

To forestall all incidences of a mishap on the road, I have directed Commanding Officers across the country to ensure full deployment of personnel and logistics for high visibility and to ensure prompt removal of obstructions and effective traffic management"

" The Corps Marshal called on the motoring public to utilize the FRSC Toll-free number 122 and the FRSC Mobile App to put calls through in the event of any crash, obstruction or emergency for prompt response.