Mrs Ambode Advises Mothers To Immunize Their Children

 • Present gifts to First Baby of the Year in Badagry, Amuwo-Idofin & Lagos Island Maternity General Hospitals

Wife of the governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, has advised mothers in the state to immunize their children against killer diseases. 

She gave the advice at the Badagry General Hospital, venue of the first- baby- of- the- year celebration in the state. Lagos State celebrates the first baby born from 12 midnight on new year’s eve. 

Speaking at the occasion, she stressed that nursing mothers should take advantage of routine immunization provided by the State Government through the primary healthcare centres to protect their children.

She said, ‘I would like to encourage mothers to always ensure that children have the full complement of routine immunization available in all the primary healthcare centres across the state, and to also make good use of family planning services’.

‘Expectant mothers should cultivate the habit of washing their hands to avoid infection and should attend ante natal and post natal clinics regularly’, she noted.

Speaking further, she commended the state government for transforming the health sector through massive infrastructure upgrade, personnel training and provision of modern equipment, adding that the new health insurance scheme planned for commencement soon, would significantly boost the state’s health credentials. 

She copiously thanked the corporate organizations that had partnered all the hospitals chosen for the first baby of the year programme and the state government in the pursuit of excellent healthcare delivery. 

Bolanle who counseled parents on the importance of birth registration upon delivery, used the opportunity to call on other organizations to step up their corporate social responsibility efforts on worthy causes.

Earlier in his remarks, the commissioner for health, Dr. Jide Idris, noted that the administration of His Excellency, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode was committed to meeting the health needs of the residents of Lagos State. 

He explained that the State government will soon commence implementation of the Lagos State Health Insurance Law which makes it mandatory for residents of the State to subscribe to compulsory health insurance scheme.

Idris added that the scheme will increase access to health services in the state and eliminate the barrier always associated with out-of-pocket payment for health services.

Speaking further, he disclosed that the state had recruited 381 officers of various cadres during the year, to improve the health work force, stressing that the state would continue to stimulate quality health service poised to address existing health gaps. 

Mum’s packs, baby essentials and other baby gifts were presented to the babies and their parents by the wife of the governor.

The three hospitals visited were Badagry General Hospital, Amuwo Odofin Maternal and Child Care Center and the Lagos lsland Maternity. The first babies were delivered in Badagry and Island Maternity at 12:01am simultaneously, both male, weighing 2.8kg and 3.1kg respectively.

Wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode with Mother of the First baby of the year 2017 in Maternal and Childcare Centre Amowo-Odofin

From Left: Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris; SA PHC, Dr. Olufemi Onunuga, Mrs. Ambode; Hon. Segun Olulade of LSHA and Wife of the Lagos SSG, Prof. Ibiyemi Bello

rom Left: Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris; SA PHC, Dr. Olufemi Onunuga, Mrs. Ambode; Hon. Segun Olulade of LSHA and Wife of the Lagos SSG, Prof. Ibiyemi Bello

rom Left: Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris; SA PHC, Dr. Olufemi Onunuga, Mrs. Ambode;  and Wife of the Lagos SSG, Prof. Ibiyemi Bello

Mrs. Ambode presenting gifts to parents of the first baby of the year in Badagry General Hospital; with her is the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Dr. 'Modele Osunkiyesi (Left) and the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris (third right)

Mrs. Ambode (Middle) carrying the first baby of the year in Lagos Island Maternity Hospital; with her is the Wife of Lagos SSG, Prof. Ibiyemi Bello (Left); Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris (second left); Special Adviser on PHC, Dr. Olufemi Onanuga (second right) and Mother of the baby(right)