31st August, 2015
Kazeem Ugbodaga
Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, on Monday commissioned 46 ambulances and handed over 10 Hilux vans and 15 motorbikes to the police.
The 46 ambulances include 20 Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) Ambulances and 26 Transport Ambulances.
The governor said it was in fulfilment of his administration’s commitment to bring quality healthcare service closer to the people particularly during emergency situations.
Ambode, who spoke at the Lagos State House, Ikeja, said that the commissioning of the ambulances was part of his pledge to run a government that will leave no one behind.
“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 to that pledge,” he said.
He said the acquisition of the new ambulances was also in consonance with his administration’s mantra to run a government of continuity with improvement.
“I recall with much satisfaction, the great strides we have witnessed in the health section in the last 16 years; commencing from the foundational leaps of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the significant landmarks of Babatunde Raji Fashola,” the Governor said.
He said that the government is commencing with 26 Transport Ambulances that would be stationed at the 26 General Hospitals within the state for easy access, adding that his administration has restructured the State Emergency Ambulance Services and increased the fleet of new Mobile Intensive Care Units by 20, bringing the total number to 33 units.
the Alara of IIlara-Epe, Oba Hakeem Adesanya (4th left), the Opeluwa of Lagos, chief Lateef Ajose (3rd left), Senator Ganiyu Solomon (2nd right) and the Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Wasiu Eshinlokun Sanni (left)
He further said that the feat would widen the coverage of their services beyond the metropolis to the hinterland within the state.
“We have restructured the State Emergency Ambulance Services and 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 services beyond the metropolis to the hinterland within the state. In total, we are launching 46 new ambulances today,” he said.
The Governor also revealed that he has given approval for the recruitment of more paramedic staff and special medical coordinators to ensure 24 hours service to the citizens.
He also restated his commitment to upgrade the General Hospitals within the state and embark on the construction of a Medical Park.
“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”.
“All our General Hospitals will now have new mobile X-Ray machines to reduce the cost of patients doing X-Ray outside the hospitals. Equipment is on the way,” he said.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Mrs. Modele Osunkiyesi, said the acquisition of the intensive MICUs was a fall out of the stakeholders meeting with the Governor.
She said that 41 days ago, a public health stakeholders’ meeting was held at the behest of the Governor at which deliberations focused around immediate challenge being faced by each stakeholders, adding that the outcome was the acquisition of the ambulances.
In the same vein, Governor Ambode also handed over 10 brand new Hilux Vans and 15 motorbikes to the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, saying it was in furtherance of the state government’s commitment to ensure a crime free Lagos state.
The Governor’s Deputy, Dr Oluranti Adebule, who handed over the vehicles to the Police charged them to utilise the vehicles judiciously to enhance security of lives and properties in the state.
Responding, the Commissioner of Police thanked the Governor for the gesture, just as he assured that the vehicles will be deployed to improve the crime prevention strategy of the force.