Expdonaloaded News; Ambode donates 46 ambulance, power bikes for health, crime

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has improved on healthcare facilities in the state by injecting additional 46 ambulances to the existing pool as part of efforts at improving on healthcare delivery system in the state. Speaking at the event yesterday, the governor said the state government has created 14 new ambulance points bringing existing ambulance points to 25 as part of effort to increase access to the grassroots and to enable them take possession of services they render in the various localities.
He called on residents of the state to make use of the ambulances adding that they are available 24/7 if residents call 112 whenever there is an emergency. Ambode said government has plans to provide x-ray machines to all primary healthcare centres (PHC) as part of efforts to upgrade them to international standard and that drugs will now be made readily available in all the PHCs for residents. The governor said that government will soon employ paramedics as part of efforts to beef-up the state’s preparedness to tackle healthcare issues 24 hours, 7 days a week. Earlier, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Mrs. Omodele Osunkiyesi attributed the launch of the items to activities that took place just 41 days ago when the state government organised a stakeholders summit at the behest of the governor to address challenges facing healthcare delivery system in the state. Osunkiyesi attributed prompt delivery of the items as a testimony of the leadership style per excellence adding that the governor has taken proactive steps to address issues affecting the sector to guarantee peace and industrial harmony. She called on health care professionals to reciprocate government gesture. General Manager, Lagos State Ambulance Services,(LASAMBUS), Dr. Ibrahim Mustapha in his remarks said that the launch of the items were part of efforts to reduce maternal mortality. Mustapha said that in the past, there was no capacity to tackle emergencies in the state until 2001 when then governor of the state, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu inaugurated ambulance services as part of effort to tackle healthcare needs of the state. He said the ambulances will improve response time in time of emergencies and that it will make it possible for communities to feel the impact of governance at the grassroots. The State Government also used the occasion to donate 10 Toyota Hilux vans and 12 power bikes to the Lagos State Police Command.