Bolanle Ambode’s New Year twins weigh 2.9kg, 3.29 kg
Lagos State recorded the first babies of the year 2018 — a set of
twins (female and male) — at Ikorodu General Hospital at 12.23 a.m.
and 12.24 a.m., weighing 2.9kg and 3.29 kg respectively.
At Gbagada General Hospital, a male child weighing 3.4kg came at 12.05
a.m. weighing 3.4kg while at the Lagos Island Maternity, a female
child of 3.3kg was born at 12.05 a.m.
The wife of the state governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, who visited the
hospitals to share the joy of the new births with the families,
advised mothers to take advantage of government’s primary healthcare
centres across the state and refrain from patronising quacks.
Ambode noted that the state government had made substantial
investments in primary healthcare to reduce maternal and infant
mortality.
“I am aware that this administration makes health issues, especially
maternal and infant health a priority.
“As part of our own efforts, the health sector has been provided with
high dependency units, neonatal care units, other medical equipment
and resources to enhance the quality of maternal and child care
services.
“We are poised to do more this year,” she said.
The governor’s wife, who said that nursing mothers should take
post-natal services seriously as it mattered greatly to the good
health of the new born, also advised them to also pay attention to
their own health.
“I wish to emphasise that post-natal care of the baby is just as
important as the ante-natal; therefore, mothers must take necessary
steps to ensure the well-being and good health of their babies.”
Ambode also stressed the need for mothers to take advantage of routine
immunisation provided by the state government through the primary
healthcare centres to protect their children and ensure the birth
registration of their babies.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, said the
government was committed to “strengthening health infrastructure,
improving programmes and expanding services” toward promoting
neonatal and child survival as well safe motherhood.
Idris expressed optimism that with the implementation of the state’s
health scheme more residents would have access to the facilities.
Also, the Chairman, State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Mr
Segun Olulade, harped on the strengthening of the referral
institution, the primary health facilities.
“In strengthening them, we expect that the first point of call should
be the primary health centre where you can be referred to the General
Hospital if you cannot be properly taken care of,” Olulade said.
He said that this would reduce congestion at the secondary and
tertiary institutions.
While thanking Mrs Ambode on behalf of other parents, Mrs. Kehinde
Adeoye, prayed for the governor, his family and the state.
Gift items mostly baby daily needs were presented to the parents of
the lucky babies by Mrs Ambode.
