Speeches

Commissioning Of The BT Paediatric Complex And BT Health And Diagnostic Centre At The Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH)

Jan 6, 2009 - In the year 2005, the visionary administration of my predecessor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, commenced the comprehensive phased infrastructural development plan for the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM). This was part of a grand vision to transform these institutions into globally acclaimed centers of excellence in healthcare delivery as well as reputable citadels of medical research and learning at undergraduate and post graduate levels.

One of the benefits of continuity in the administration of Lagos State is the sustained implementation of this policy and the consolidation of the reputation of these institutions as the fastest growing tertiary health centers in the country. The commissioning today of the Bola Tinubu Health and Diagnostic Centre and the Bola Tinubu Paediatric Ward Complex marks another milestone in the infrastructural development of LASUTH.

These facilities will further enhance the capacity of LASUTH to deliver on its mandate and improve the provision of health care delivery in Lagos State in accordance with a key component of our Ten-Point Agenda.

The vision of the Lagos State Government is for infrastructural renewal befitting its Mega-city status to adequately cater for residents. A glance around this complex shows clearly that we are making remarkable progress in this respect.

Ladies and gentlemen, the initial phase of the developmental project execution at LASUTH incorporated the rehabilitation of the clinics, male and female medical and surgical wards, morbid anatomy department, dental centre and the emergency centre (LASEMS). Subsequently, the second and third phases commenced with the construction of new buildings designed to enhance ambience and academic standards by providing an enabling environment for patients, students and lecturers. These include the 4-storey Faculty of Clinical Sciences Complex and the Students’ Hostel at LASUCOM.

This distinguished audience will recall that in March 2008, I had the singular honor of commissioning the Dental centre as well as the Bola Tinubu Ward Complex. The commissioning today of these two projects; the Bola Tinubu Health and Diagnostic Centre as well as the Bola Tinubu Paediatric Ward Complex is in continued fulfillment of our promise to upgrade this hospital to a tertiary health institution of international repute.

The Bola Tinubu Health and Diagnostic Centre is a world class centre with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment. These include radiological equipment such as CT SCAN, MRI, fluoroscopy, mammography, general x-ray and ultra sound equipment on the ground floor and fully automated, sophisticated but robust laboratory equipment such as blood chemistry analyzers, spectrometers and haematology analyzer on the first floor.

All of the major equipment in the centre have an information technology base and for reporting and displaying of results which can be transmitted along with images anywhere in the world for referral or alternative opinions – telemedicine. It is the belief of this administration that diagnostics forms an integral part of a patient’s total medical care and only complements the expertise of the medical personnel; therefore investigative tools must be of the best quality. The Bola Tinubu Health and Diagnostic Centre is also to serve as a reference centre for all secondary health facilities in the State.

The 4-storey BT Paediatric Ward Complex which we are commissioning today is essentially in recognition of the fact that the paediatric age group constitutes an appreciable percentage of the total out patient clinic attendance at LASUTH. The project was executed on a design and build format by Messrs Deux Project Limited to provide 44 beds, 60 cots, five paediatric clinics and five family medicine clinics. It is expected that this facility, by increasing the bed space available for paediatric patients, will complement other child survival strategies to reduce infant and child morbidity/mortality in line with the health-Millennium Development Goals.

In our thrust to ensure the attainment of these goals as well as increase the availability of quality health services, the following projects are some of those earmarked for execution during the tenure of this administration:

a. Renovation and equipping of public secondary health facilities to empower an increased scope of service delivery at this level of care. It is envisaged that this intervention would by extension permit LASUTH to focus on her clinical, training and research responsibilities;
b. Construction and equipping of 100 bed Maternal and Child Health Complexes at Gbaja and within the premises of Ikorodu, Isolo, Ifako Ijaiye and Ajeromi General Hospitals to reduce maternal and infant morbidity and mortality in alignment with the health-
Millennium Development Goals;
c. Construction & Equipping of Amuwo Odofin General Hospital with the provision of a 110 bed Maternal and Child Health Complex as an integral component;
d. Construction and equipping of Accident and Emergency Centres across the State to reduce accident related morbidity and mortality;
e. Construction and equipping of Infectious Disease Complex at Mainland General Hospital;
f. Upgrade of Gbagada General Hospital to the status of a suitable annex for LASUTH;
g. Rehabilitation of Ayinke House, LASUTH;
h. Construction of drainage, internal roads, water reticulation and central power provision at LASUTH;
i. Rehabilitation/Upgrading of Massey Street Children’s Hospital;
j. Construction and equipping of iconic complex comprising clinics, wards etc at the General Hospital, Lagos;
k. Construction and furnishing of Staff quarters at different locations and
l. Construction and equipping of two -storey Staff Clinic at the Lagos State Secretariat Complex with conference hall and executive lounge

You will all agree with me that these are desirable but capital intensive projects. I wish to submit that our success is contingent on the support, cooperation and understanding of all and sundry. I therefore seek your cooperation in protecting these facilities from vandals and saboteurs and also in fulfilling your civic obligations in the payment of taxes to ensure the actualization of our collective dreams.

I commend the competence, diligence and efficiency of the generality of the health workforce and enjoin you to strive to take the State to globally acclaimed heights of excellence in the health sector.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to formally commission the Bola Tinubu Health and Diagnostic Centre and Paediatric Ward Complex to the glory of God and to the benefit of humanity.

I thank you all for your attention.

God bless.

Ilu Eko o ni baje o.

Babatunde Raji Fashola (S.A.N.)
Governor of Lagos State