Pregnant women in the Lagos state are currently receiving free antenatal care and child delivery services from Lagos State General Hospitals and Primary Health Centres as part of the relief measures announced by the Lagos State Government to mitigate the effects of the removal of fuel subsidies on Lagos residents.
In July, the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, directed that General Hospitals and Primary Health Care centres in the state provide free antenatal care and child delivery services, including normal and Caesarean sections, to expectant mothers as part of the relief measures announced to lessen the burden of the removal of the fuel subsidy on Lagosians.
In his directive, the Governor directed the Lagos State Government’s primary and secondary health facilities to provide free medical services to ensure that families’ health is taken care of while easing their financial constraints and increasing access to quality health care delivery in Lagos State.
Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, stated that the provision of free health services will help improve maternal and child health indices in Lagos. Ogboye expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance during a compliance monitoring visit to certain State hospitals over the weekend, including the Ifako-Ijaiye and Isolo General Hospitals.
“The Governor recognised that the cost of antenatal care and child delivery services would add to the burden of fuel subsidy removal on the cost of living for expectant parents, and this is why the Governor announced the free medical intervention as part of the rolled out measures to ease off the burden.
“I am impressed by the level of compliance with Mr. Governor’s free antenatal and child delivery service directive at the health facilities visited. Having gone round the ANC clinics, post-delivery wards, and baby nurseries at the Ifako-Ijaiye and Isolo General Hospitals, it is heartwarming to see the smiles on the faces of the newly born and their parents.
He stated that Governor Sanwo-Olu’s immediate priority directive to cover the cost of antenatal care, including registration and ANC clinics, as well as normal and caesarean section child delivery services, was in line with the State Government’s Universal Health Coverage attainment drive.
Dr. Bamidele Mustapha, Medical Director of Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital, revealed that the health institution has introduced free health interventions, including free antenatal and childbirth services for over 30 people.
Mrs. Oluwademilade Mustapha, who gave birth to a boy via caesarian section at the Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital, and another beneficiary, Mrs. Eniola Samuel, who also delivered a baby boy at the General Hospital, Isolo, praised the State Government’s initiative to provide free medical care.
