The Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabir Shotobi, has appealed to Lagos State Government to upgrade Ikorodu General Hospital to teaching hospital.
Shotobi made the appeal when he visited the hospital to distribute gifts to the first baby of the year in Ikorodu on Monday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the first baby, a female, was delivered by one Mrs Mosunmola Awodehinde at about 12:05 a.m., weighing 3.2 kg.
The second baby, a male, delivered by one Mrs Kadijat Ahmad at about 12:10 a.m., while the third, also a male, was delivered by Mrs Omosalewa Fagbemi at about 1:27 a.m.
NAN reports that cash and baby materials were distributed to the three women by the traditional ruler, accompanied by his wife, Olori Kudirat, and care givers.
Oba Shotobi cautioned health professional against engaging in ‘Japa’ syndrome, adding that they should rather be patient, as the present government was working on ways of reviving the economy, especially the health sector.
“This visit is our usual tradition to see the performances of health professionals, the first baby of the year and give thanks to Almighty God for blessing Ikorodu.
“I am appealing to the state government to upgrade this hospital to a teaching hospital that will accommodate more dialysis centre.
“I am delighted that the value of this hospital is appreciating. I have come to see, witness and give my own personal thought and recommendations.
“In all modesty, the doctors and nurses are doing wonderfully well and I can say that the hospital is best among equals,” he said.
The royal father also called governments at all levels to upgrade the welfare of medical professionals in order to discourage them from migrating abroad much value was placed on their services.
He commended Gov. Babajide Sanwoolu for giving the hospital the necessary tools to ensure an efficient service delivery in the health sector.
“I appeal to our doctors and nurses to be patient; things will get better very soon; the president (Bola Tinubu) has promised to revamp the health sector,” he said.
Speaking at the occasion, the Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Taiwo Hassan, called for declaration of state of emergency on health professionals, as part of measures to address the challenges bedevelling the health sector.
Hassan also advised government to put in place measures that would discourage health professionals from migrating to other countries.
He said that the hospital had been consistently providing timely and good quality services for citizens of Ikorodu since its established 40 years ago.
Hassan noted that the general hospital had won numerous awards, both locally and internationally due to its efficient service delivery.
“We have advised that Ikorodu general hospital and other major hospitals should be upgraded to teaching hospitals.
“When we have teaching hospitals, the rate of producing doctors will increase and they will be more than enough to render their services.
“Consequently, they will have no option than to stay back and bring their experience to bear on the system,” Hassan said. (NAN
