Press Releases

Fashola Calls For Total Overhaul Of National Orthopaedic Hospital

Jan 23, 2009 - Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Friday called for a total overhaul of the National Orthopaedic Hospital in Lagos in order to cope with Orthopaedic challenges of patients in the state.

Governor Fashola made this plea while speaking during a courtesy call on him by the Minister of Health, Prof. Babatunde Oshotimehim at the Lagos House,Alausa Ikeja.

He pointed out that the facilities of the hospital need total overhaul in terms of structure and equipment which must be in tune with contemporary technology.

The Governor argued that the Hospital must be upgraded to a referral status, worthy of its name with the injection of massive investment by the Federal Government.

“Nigeria is still using Plastic Of Paris (POP) technology while the whole world has moved from that level several years ago,” the Governor remarked.

Governor Fashola also advocated the convening of a forum of eminent body of professionals which will once and for all; deal with incessant industrial actions in the nation’s hospitals.

He posited that as a matter of professional obligation, whatever the provocation, there must be a consistency in ensuring that the interest of the people they serve, must always be paramount.

“The reality is that every time, we will still come back to the negotiation table but people would have died during the strike,” he said.

On the Primary Health Care system, Governor Fashola challenged the Minister to ensure the adoption of a template developed by one of his predecessors in office, Prof. Olikoye Ransome- Kuti towards ensuring the programme is brought to the consciousness of the people.

He identified massive media and public enlightenment campaign as a major way of addressing the challenge. The Governor agreed with Prof. Oshotimehin’s view that issues on primary health care system rests solely with the third tier of government.

Governor Fashola also charged the Minister to work towards the immediate release of funds deducted from Local Government accounts for the purpose of constructing health centres across the federation by the former President Olusegun Obasanjo regime.

In his earlier remarks, the Minister, Prof. Babatunde Oshotimehin commended Lagos State Government for its giant strides in the health sector saying the State University and its hospital remain one of the most dynamic in the South West.

Prof. Oshotimehin said he will ensure that an organic relationship is maintained between the Federal Ministry of Health and the State owned specialist hospital which will help in fast tracking Federal Government health policy and programme.

The minister identified two positive interventions which have been put in this year’s budget to include provision of money for states to provide help to pregnant women and those under the age of five, and the training of three thousand, three hundred midwives from the states who will be deployed to primary health centres across the federation.