•Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode (second left) inaugurating the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) helipad at Ikeja... yesterday. With him are: Commissioner for Health Dr. Jide Idris (second right), Special Adviser, Primary Health Care Dr. Olufemi Onanuga (right) and Chief Medical Director, LASUTH Prof. Adewale Oke.
Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday inaugurated a helicopter landing platform (helipad) at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, to aid victims requiring emergency medical attention, especially in remote areas.
The governor, at the event, said the upgrade of the 247-bed and five theatre suits for expextant mothers, popularly known as Ayinke House, would be ready by mid next year.
According to him, “this helipad is a lifesaving asset and critical complement to the efficient functioning of this unit and other emergency services being rendered by the state. The helipad will also aid the movement of patients from remote areas where healthcare facilities to provide the level of emergency medicine required are not readily available.
“Over the years, we have witnessed emergency situations, which require timely movement of victims to appropriate medical facilities. Keeping in mind that every minute matters in securing the lives of people involved in these incidents, the usual movement by road is not the best option in such situations. Helicopters have, therefore, become an efficient and reliable option which can only be made possible with the availability of helipads within the hospital environment.
“Given the status of LASUTH, as the state flagship tertiary health institution, offering referral services for other public and private medical institutions, it was obvious the helipad had to be located here.”
He added that a month ago, a 27-bed Critical Care Unit was inaugurated in LASUTH to provide life and organ support system for critically ill patients, who require intensive monitoring and post-operative treatment.
The governor was optimistic that the helipad would facilitate medical evacuation and air ambulance transfer of patients to trauma centres.
The governor, who also inspected medical facilities at the LASUTH complex, said the Bola Tinubu Health and Diagnostic Centre would become operational as part of efforts to transform the health sector for optimal performance.
Inspecting the Intensive Care Unit, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences and the Ayinke House at LASUTH, Ambode announced termination of contracts of all abandoned projects at the complex.
His administration, he said, would not allow such to happen any longer in the state.
The governor said he approved the rehabilitation, upgrade and bulk purchase of medical equipment required in 20 secondary and 21 primary health facilities across the state.
The provision of the facilities, Ambode noted, were consistent with the commitment of his administration to raise the service delivery capacity of LASUTH and other health facilities to international standards to save lives.
He said the helipad would be operated by specially trained personnel, who will give a 24-hour service, guarantee expert medical care during emergency transfer and safe landing.
The governor also said the state would soon become a hub for medical tourism once the Medical Park at the old School of Nursing, Ikoyi, comes on stream, following a Memorandum of Understanding with selected investors.
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