22nd January, 2020
Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has called for increased private sector support and partnership with Lagos in the State Government’s quest to revamp health infrastructure across all levels of care and attain universal health coverage as well as achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Sanwo-Olu made this call on Wednesday at a handover and commissioning ceremony of multi-million naira medical emergency response equipment and consumables donated by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) to General Hospital, Lagos.
The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi said the donation of the medical emergency response equipment by NNPC and SNEPCo speaks volume about responsibility, public good and love for the people.
“The Government and people of Lagos State are indeed appreciative of the kind gesture of NNPC, SNEPCo and their co-venture partners including Total, ExxonMobil and Agip.
“This donation would go a long way in assisting the Government to achieve the overall objective of the health pillar of the T.H.E.M.E.S agenda which is to increase the capacity of the healthcare system and infrastructure to sustainably meet the healthcare need of our growing population”, Sanwo-Olu stated.
The Governor, while explaining that health and education account for the largest share of the 2020 budget in the current fiscal year noted that the allocation when considered within the context of the growing population of the State would almost pale into insignificance without the contribution and partnership from the private sector.
He said the donation of the emergency equipment speaks to the core of the importance of public-private partnership adding that his administration will continue to encourage more public-private partnership which will impact positively on the health and wellbeing of citizens.
“As we all know, 2030 has been agreed as the timeline for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. This implies that by 2030, we must have achieved the 17 SDGs, and for us to achieve this, it is of utmost importance that we encourage more of public-private partnership such as this initiative undertaken by NNPC and SNEPCO which will impact positively on SDG3 geared towards ensuring good health and well-being”, Sanwo-Olu said.
Managing Director of SNEPCo, Mr. Bayo Ojulari said the donation of the medical emergency response equipment by SNEPCo and NNPC will mark the start of a new medical response experience at the General Hospital, Lagos.
He noted that the donation of the equipment is as a result of the successful partnership between the Lagos State Government, NNPC and SNEPCo under the Lagos State Medical Emergency Response Improvement Programme (Lagos MERIP).