By Milcah Tanimu

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State paid an unannounced visit to Island Maternity Hospital on Lagos Island to monitor the health palliative services provided for pregnant women. The visit was intended to ensure the proper implementation of the state’s health palliative scheme, which covers medical expenses for pregnant women’s care, deliveries, and antenatal services in state-owned hospitals.

During his visit, Governor Sanwo-Olu observed the medical staff’s compliance with the health palliative scheme. He interacted with pregnant women benefitting from the program, including one expectant mother, Odeyemi Omowunmi, who was admitted ahead of her scheduled delivery due to high blood pressure, a condition that had led to previous miscarriages. The Governor was pleased to hear that Odeyemi’s husband had initially been concerned about the cost but later learned that the care was completely free under the health palliative scheme.

The health palliative services were introduced as part of the state government’s efforts to alleviate the hardships faced by residents due to the removal of fuel subsidies. The scheme covers the cost of normal pregnancy delivery, Caesarean section, and antenatal care provided in Lagos State-owned hospitals.

Since the program’s launch at the beginning of August, numerous pregnant women have benefited from the free delivery and antenatal care services available across the state-owned hospitals.

Governor Sanwo-Olu also inspected facilities at Lagos Island Hospital, Odan, including the 10-storey Doctor’s Quarters, where he assessed apartments, stores, and the power supply system. The Governor’s visit aimed to identify specific areas for intervention and improvement in the healthcare infrastructure.

Sanwo-Olu’s proactive involvement reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring the effective implementation of the health palliative scheme and enhancing healthcare services for pregnant women in Lagos State.