In keeping with the tradition of presenting gifts to babies born in the early hours of the New Year in Lagos, the wife of the State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, visited three selected public hospitals today.
The hospitals are ; Harvey Road Health Centre Yaba, Onikan Health Centre, both of which were recently upgraded into a General hospital as well as the Lagos Island Maternity, reputed to be the largest baby factory in West Africa.
Incidentally, the first babies at each of the three hospitals are all male, with Baby Ajila delivered at 12 am by Mrs Adeola Ajila at Onikan General Hospital weighing 2.5kg breasting the tape.
Baby Layembi, born at the Lagos Island Maternity, to the family of Qudus and Simbiat at ten minutes after twelve a.m weighing 3.1kg, clinched the prize at that hospital, while Baby Abdul-Ganiyu, born to the family of Luqman and Sukurat Abdul-Ganiyu weighing 2.2kg at fifteen seconds after midnight was the first at the Harvey Road General Hospital Yaba.
It was celebration galore as the wife of the Governor was welcomed to each of the hospitals with live music and dancing amidst COVID-19 preventive protocols.
Accompanied by other State dignitaries, including the Commissioner for Health and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr Sanwo-Olu went round the wards to present gifts to the first babies of the year and to felicitate with other new mothers.
In a remark, Dr Sanwo-Olu encouraged all Lagosians to take the Covid19 vaccine, assuring them that it is safe and to also take advantage of the Lagos Health Insurance Scheme to ease the burden of out of pocket payments during hospital visits.
“And also, register your baby immediately after birth, whether you deliver in the hospital or with a traditional birth attendant, it is important that you register the baby, this will enable government to plan” she said
The Commissioner For Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, reiterated the State government’s commitment to reducing maternal and child mortality, announcing that many hospitals, including the one at Harvey road are being redesigned for optimal performance.
The Medical Directors of the Hospitals, expressed gratitude to the state Government for upgrading their infrastructure and like Oliver twist, solicited more support to enable them deliver qualitative health care services..
In an interview with Radio Nigeria, one of the new mothers, Mrs Adeola Ajila who described her pregnancy and delivery process as a miracle, said the baby came after she had miscarried six times.
“I had already lose hope and even said maybe I should put an end to giving birth, but God just did this miraculously, this pregnancy came unexpectedly, even yesterday, I didn’t know I would deliver, I was preparing to go for crossover night, and then, the baby came, with goodwill and joy, I received mercy from the Lord, God has already favoured me” she enthused.
Mrs Adeola Ajila expressed appreciation to the State government and others, who had been coming to bless her baby with gifts and prayed God to bless all those looking for the fruit of the womb before the year end.