Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, wife of the Lagos state Governor on the first day of the year 2022, welcomed and presented gifts items to the first babies of the year in three public hospitals namely: Harvey Road Health Centre, Onikan Health Centre and Lagos Island Maternity Hospital.
Baby Abdulganiu, a male who weighed 3.2kg delivered at exactly 12:00:15am by Mrs. Shukurat Abdulganiu is the first baby of the year at Harvey Road Hospital. Another baby, also male who weighed 2.5 kg and delivered at 12:00am by Mrs Adesola Ajila is the first baby of the year at Onikan Health Centre, while the first baby of year at the Lagos Island Maternity Hospital is baby Layembi. The baby; a male who weighed 3.1kg was delivered at 12:10am by Mrs Simbiat Layembi.
Welcoming the first babies at these hospitals, Sanwo-Olu said the birth of a newborn is a symbolic and significant event that brings forth the assurance that human heritage is carried on to the next generation.
“The gift of a new baby is a priceless one from God. It, therefore, gladdens me to be in the midst of the Lagos Health Family to receive and celebrate the First Baby of the year 2022” She noted.
Sanwo-Olu commended the Commissioner for Health Professor Akin Abayomi and the Lagos health family for the laudable improvement recorded in the health sector.
She said: “The State Government, through the Health Ministry, has continued to deliver on its mandate to all residents in the State. Over the years, the State Government has strengthened its Maternal and Child Health policies and programs, upgrading and constructing new Maternal and Child health facilities towards the provision of efficient, accessible, and affordable mother and child services.
While presenting gifts to the parents of the newly born, the first lady commended all philanthropists, corporate bodies, Non-governmental organizations and civil society groups involved in any form of partnership towards complimenting the vision of the state government in the health sector.
Earlier in his remarks, the State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi noted that the first baby of the year remains a symbolic event which marks the first activity of the government every year adding that the event is a demonstration of the priority placed on the provision of sustainable health care delivery in the state.
Abayomi stated further that the Ministry of Health remains committed to implementing policies, programmes and projects that will promote maternal and child well-being as well as prevent and reduce maternal and child mortality in the State.
He added that the State government through the Ministry of Health will continue to provide qualitative and equitable health care services to all citizens of the State through strengthening of structures, health promoting programs and expanding services that will promote healthy living including neonatal and child survival.
In his remarks, the Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola assured that the State government will continue to stimulate the required quality of health service delivery that is poised to address existing health gaps.
Muri-Okunola who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, urged residents to embrace the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme for seamless access to quality and efficient health care services in Lagos State.
He stressed that the Lagos State Health Scheme which is now in full swing will continue to give succor to residents.
