Speeches

Farewell Dinner And Gifts Presentation In Honour Of The Cardiac Team From America

Feb 4, 2009 - It is time to say good bye for now, to our friends the Cardiac experts from the United States of America who have been with us for the past twelve days and had rendered selfless service to some of our people in Lagos State. Words cannot express the depth of our gratitude but all the same I must on behalf of the government and people of Lagos State and in particular those patients that you have positively touched their lives through the successful surgeries you performed on them, express our appreciation to you.

You have left the comfort of your homes, your lucrative practices in the service of fellow human beings and you gave the benefit of your talent and expertise to them, only God can abundantly reward you.

This is the fourth Cardiac Mission ably led by Dr. Jonathan Nwoloh in conjunction with the State Health Team since 2004. From the administration of my predecessor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and now during our administration, it is on record that hundreds of children have benefited from State sponsored Cardiac treatment abroad. However, we are working hard to make sure that we also have a standard Cardiac Centre in Lagos State, which as I am talking to you is currently under construction.

We are concerned with the plight of the Senior Citizens and the elderly ones in our society who are more vulnerable and prone to heart related diseases with advancing age. It is therefore hoped that the Cardiac Centre would be a cheering news to this category of people as their medical needs would be appropriately attended to, when the centre becomes operational.

I want to assure you that as these medical facilities are being provided, a lot is also being done to ensure appropriate staffing in our medical institutions, particularly in such specialized fields as cardiology. Experienced and competent Cardiologists are not picked on the shelf, we shall continue to do all we can to encourage and stimulate the interest of younger medical practitioners to specialize in cardiology among other clinical fields.

This latest Cardiac Mission was organized by this administration to provide corrective heart surgeries to Lagos State citizens that require such surgeries but could not afford the huge cost. The average cost of heart surgery cases is about 5-6 million naira, and unfortunately there are very few Government Hospitals in Nigeria that have facilities for such surgeries.

Statistics has shown that majority of those that have heart defects and need surgery as corrective measures are those within the low socio-economic status, thereby giving them less chance of survival because of the high cost.

This mission, I am informed started with the screening of patients by the State’s Cardiology Department at LASUTH and investigations done included echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, blood swapping and cross matching, genotype, full blood count, liver function tests, electrolytes and urea, Prothrombin time and INR, chest x-ray, Hepatitis B & C and HIV status. By the end of this mission, twelve, (12) patients would have been operated upon; nine (9) of them have been carried out.

While thanking the local committee that has been working tirelessly for the successful outcome of the mission, may I also assure that the completion of the Cardiac Centre in the State, would not put an end of the collaborative efforts of this team of distinguished medical professionals, with us in Lagos State.

All together, twenty five (25) patients were operated in the last three (3) missions.

While commending the efforts and contributions of every member of this mission, may I acknowledge these distinguished cardiologists whose active participation has ensured the success of this mission. They are:
• Dr. Williams Nwiloh;
• Princess Joy Nwiloh;
• Marc. E. Jean Jacques;
• Dennis Wolk;
• Cassie Sklot;
• Gregory Sund;
• Misty Saker; and
• Babaseyi Oyesola.

Without mincing words, this mission is a demonstration of the unity of human family, and in appreciation of your contribution to healthcare service delivery in Lagos State, we have considered it necessary to present you a memorabilia, souvenir in form of a plague as a token appreciation that will constantly remind you of this mission long after you have left the shores of this country.

Once again, I thank you most sincerely and commend your continued commitment to the noble ideals of your humanitarian calling – medicine.

By tomorrow Thursday most members of this cardiac mission would be leaving for home, I therefore wish you journey mercies and Au revoir.

Thank you and God bless.

Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN)
Governor of Lagos State