Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari today unveiled the rehabilitated and upgraded Institute of Maternal and Child Health popularly known as ‘Ayinke House’ at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) towards reduction of maternal and child mortality.
The old Ayinke House, the biggest baby manufacturing factory (maternity hospital) in Nigeria had 80-bed capacity with just one theatre while many equipment in use at the facility had become old and obsolete.
But with the refurbishment and expansion by the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, the facility now has 170 Bed-Spaces, five Operation Theatres, 16-Bed Acute Care Department (Emergency) with Three-Organ Support Capability, 30 Special care baby Unit spaces, 5 Neonatal Intensive Care Units, Main Laboratory with 3 additional Side Laboratories Blood Bank, 30 incubators with automatic oxygen delivery capacity and neonatal life support.
Speaking at the event, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode who went down memory lane noted that the Facility which was commissioned 29 years ago was donated by to the Lagos State government by late Sir Mobolaji Bank-Anthony in memory of his later mother; Alhaja Rabiatu Ayinke Aleshinloye-williams, hence the christened name “Ayinke House.”
“Then the 80-bed facility with just one surgical theatre assumed a life of its own as a first-class childbirth and maternal care centre in the health sector of Nigeria as well as first choice for expectant mothers. However, the facilities became over-stretched beyond capacity and somehow obsolete”, the Governor said.
He explained that it was in recognition of the need to sustain the philanthropy of Sir Mobolaji Bank-Anthony, that the State Government during the administration of the former Governor and the present Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, awarded the contract for the expansion and reconstruction of the facility.
“Today, seven years after the closure of the facility, the new edifice is now a 170-bed facility with five surgical theatres. It has 16-bed emergency care units with 3 organ support facilities, 30 bed special baby care unit, 5 neo-natal intensive care units, a fully equipped laboratory with support services, laboratories and a blood bank”, Ambode stated.
He explained that beyond the significance of the facility for the health sector, “this institute is a major contribution to our education sector also; as it becomes a veritable platform for our medical students in the State University to enhance their exposure and experience with the top-class medical equipment provided”
He added that the new Ayinke House is completely digitalized with state-of-the-art medical equipment as well as information technology services supported by the State Ministry of Science and Technology.
Ambode noted that in line with President Buhari’s prioritized universal and basic primary healthcare, his administration has consciously worked to bring quality, affordable and modern healthcare to all the citizenry.
“Just last year, we launched the Lagos State Health Insurance scheme to allow residents access to quality medical care with a little contribution and support from the State government”, he said.
Earlier while addressing the media on the state of the facility, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris said that the rehabilitation, upgrade, expansion, equipping and installed IT system in the facility cost the State government about six billion Naira.
He noted that new Ayinke House, Ikeja, would have positive impact on the workforce, productivity and economy of the country.
According to him, the facility is supposed to be the highest level of care with respect to maternal and child health in Lagos State.
“This place has five theatres, which is state-of-the-art; so you can do gynaecological and obstetrics surgeries. So we are adding five theatres to the whole of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja.The idea is to provide those facilities where such problems can be dealt with and to reduce the mortality rates”
“We also have laboratories for diagnosis facilities; we also have, because it is. Teaching setting, facilities for research and training for both residents and house officers, “the commissioner said.
Speaking in the same vein, the Chief Medical Director, LASUTH, Prof. Adetokunbo Fabamwo, said that the government had in 2018 recruited a total of 250 additional staff for the new Ayinke house.
Said he, “we have 21 consultant obstetricians and gynaecologists and about 30 resident doctors that are going to work here. This is a 170 bed hospital and it is going to be massive; it is going to be a lot of work, so we need a lot of hands on deck”.
“In his remarks, the President, Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON), Dr Oluwarotimi Akinola said that the new facility would increase the LASUTH’s capacity to offer gynecology and obstetrics care.
According to him, the challenge that has faced maternal and child care has been inadequate capacity installed in the country.
“But as Ayinke is coming on stream, at least, we know that in Lagos, we are going to have that upper edge again which will substantially diminish the pressure on Island Maternity Hospital.
“It is a step toward the right direction, “Akinola said.