Lagos Govt to upgrade Epe PHCs to 24 hours medical centres
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has announced that the Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State will be specially upgraded to 24 hours service centres in addition to the ongoing construction of the State-of-the-Art Mother and Child Care Centre (MCC) at the General Hospital in Epe.
Members of Lagos state Medical Guild and Lagos state officials
Ambode made the announcement at the flag-off of a 5-day free medical mission organised by the Medical Guild, an association of Lagos State government employed medical/dental doctors.
The governor, who was represented by the Special Adviser on Primary Health Care, Dr. Femi Onanuga, said: “As your government, we are committed to our vision of providing quality Medicare to our people.
“The basis of our strong commitment to provision of adequate medical services to our people is the belief that only healthy population will be in the best position to drive the economy of a megacity state like ours.
“The commitment is being expressed in the strengthening of the health sector through capacity building, recruitment, upgrading of infrastructure as well as construction.”
Ambode said more qualified medical and para-medical personnel are being recruited to strengthen capacity for the provision of quality medical services.
Seeking cooperation and support, Ambode however said the medical mission would give medical care to Lagosians and compliment efforts of the State administration in ensuring quality health services.
He appealed to the doctors to make it an annual programme and urged other professionals in the state civil service to emulate the gesture of the Medical Guild.
“Medical missions are the easiest way of rendering medical services to the communities as many people do not know their health status for hypertension and diabetes. Hypertension like we all know, is a silent killer, it can start very innocently but by the time you check the blood pressure, you will realise that it is very high.”
Chairman of the Medical Guild, Dr. Saliu Oseni, said the free health gesture was part of appreciation of efforts of the Governor particularly his giant strides in the health sector vis-a-vis upgrading of health facilities, the helipad at LASUTH and sustenance of industrial harmony in the health sector.
Oseni said the Guild decided to further contribute to the well-being of the people of Lagos State by bringing medicare closer to the people of Epe and its environs.
“While we are aware of some pending issues, we sincerely want to appreciate the state government for those issues that have been resolved in the last one and half years and sincerely appeal that you continue to apply your vast knowledge of the civil service and your sincerity to resolve issues especially with a listening ear.”
He said the free mission will screen people for illnesses (with treatment where necessary) especially non-communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes, obesity, screening and treatment of eye diseases with free reading glasses.
Other free care offered to the residents of Epe are HIV screening, medications, health education/counselling.
Oseni also said, eye, dental and general surgeries will also be carried out.
