Kunle Adelabu & Mariam Akinloye
-Deputy Gov Hamzat flags – off centre in Ikorodu
The Medical Director/Chief Executive Officer, General Hospital, Ikorodu, Dr Taiwo Kamorudeen Hassan, has stated that 16, 000 out of the over 23, 000 patients that go for treatment in hospitals in Lagos State, are trauma victims.
He disclosed this at the flag – off of a 40 – bed trauma centre by the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Akadiri Hamzat, at the General Hospital, Ikorodu, on Monday, adding that the facility, when completed, would reduce mortality and morbidity rate in the state.
The medical facility, which will be equipped with state – of – the – art – medical facilities, was facilitated by Rep. Babajimi Benson, Chairman, Committee on Defense, House of Representatives and the representative of the Ikorodu Federal Constitunecy in the Federal House of Representatives.
The award – wining medical director of the General Hospital, lkorodu, also stated that patients patronage at the GH Ikorodu has increased to 90, 000 monthly.
“General hospital Ikorodu was established fully in 1983, though, it started has a cottage hospital in Agbala in 1956. It started as a four departments hospital. Today, we are proud to say General Hospital, Ikorodu, has 32 departments now.
“The attendance in general hospital used to be less than 2000 patients every month, today, we have 4500 patients everyday and over 90, 000 patients in a month. That is huge, very huge.
“The Accident and Emergency Centre that we currently operates has a bed capacity for just 15 patients, and it was donated to us in 2015, by the Heineken Foundation. The Ayangburen of Ikorodu was part of those that came to commission it in 2015”, he said.
Dr Hassan, narrating how he approached the three – term lawmaker in 2021, commended him for fulfilling his pledge.
He said that the facility would reduce the morbidity and the mortality arising from trauma related cases in the state.
“In 2021, I approached the member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, in person of Hon. Babajimi Benson, the one we refer to as Julius Berger of this division, and I told him about the need to have a trauma centre here, and he told me that it will be done, but that he didn’t know the time that it will be done.
“Today, I am happy that Babajimi Benson has fulfilled his promise. Thank you very much. General Hospital, lkorodu, is saying thanks to you, the Obas in the division are saying thanks to you, Ikorodu residents and indigines are saying thanks to you for this 40 – bed hospital.
“Trauma is a major issue and of over 23, 000 patients that come to the hospital in Lagos State, about 16, 000 of them have cases relating to trauma. So, we cannot but have this centre because it is going to reduce the morbidity and the mortality from trauma related conditions.
“Honourable Babajimi Benson, I say thank you to you. By the time this edifice comes up, we would use it very well to the benefits of Ikorodu indigenes, Ikorodu division and to the benefit of Nigerians”, he said.
The facilitator, Rep. Babajimi Benson, said that he invited the Deputy Governor of the State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat to flag off the trauma centre to put pressure on the contractor to finish the project within nine months.
He said that the initiative came from the Medical Director of General Hospital, Ikorodu, and that he was also inspired by the commitment of Odofin Adewunmi Ogunsanya, SAN, to development of Ikorodu Division.
“It was Dr. Hassan, a great guy, great man and wonderful product of Ikorodu, that drew my attention to this, and another person that inspired me was Odofin Adewunmi Ogunsanya. He on his own is building a renal centre here.
“So, the construction of renal centre is going on one side, while that of the trauma centre is also going on another side of the hospital simultaneously, under the Dr. Hassan’s tenure”, he said.
Dr Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Governor, Lagos State, speaking, commended the CMD, General Hospital, Ikorodu, for always attending to patients sent to him.
He said that the state is making progress.
“In Lagos, we have 9189 roads as at a month ago, because it keeps increasing. In 1999 , only 7% of those roads were tarred but today, 69% have been tarred, and that is an improvement.
“The CMD said that they normally see 2000 patients before but now, they are seeing 90, 000 in a month, is that also not progress. Before, there was no trauma centre but we will have one in some months time. So, we are making progress.
“We are making progress but can we do more, yes, and that is what we should do. That is why I appreciate our honorable for doing what he is doing and that is why we encourage our people to always have capable people like Jimi Benson to be our representative and that is what our party is doing across the state”.
He said that the good lawmakers like Benson, are bringing back developmental projects to Ikorodu from the federal, why adding that the President is always willing to do more for the people.
He appealed to Nigerians to continue to pray for those managing the affairs of the country, whom he likened to people performing surgery on badly damaged legs, to get it right.
The deputy governor emphasized that there is no prosperity and development without pains.
“In Lagos State, we don’t do flag – off, rather, we commission, but like he said (Rep. Babajimi Benson), it is important that we put pressure on the contractor to complete the project in nine months and by God’s grace, we will come back to come and commission the trauma centre.
“I have seen the design; it is fantastic and awesome. We don’t pray for accident or anything bad to happen, but as a city and state, we must prepare for emergency and that is the essence of this”.
Eminent personalities at the flag were HRM Oba Kabir Shotobi, the Aayngbure of Ikorodu, HRM Oba Semiudeen Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, HRM Oba David Raji, the Eweye of Isiwu, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, former Deputy Governor, Lagos State and GAC chieftain, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, former Secretary to the State Government government and chieftain of the GAC, Dr. Adeola Jokomba, State APC Secretary, Otunba Olasunkanmi Tijani, Divisional APC Chairman, Otunba Fatai Olukoga, former Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Education and council chairmen across the Ikorodu Division among others.
