Sanwo-Olu Flags Off Seven-Storey, 150-Bed New Massey Children Hospital

From left, Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Wasiu Eshilokun; Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, Ambassador Demola Seriki and Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi during the ground breaking ceremony for the reconstruction of a new Massey children hospital, Lagos Island on Wednesday in Lagos. Photo; Sylvester Okoruwa

Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, flagged off the construction of new Massey Children’s Hospital billed to be the biggest of its kind in Africa, saying the construction of the new hospital reflected his administration’s unwavering determination to bridge all gaps in the health sector in the state.

The governor also used the opportunity to flag off the re-generation of Adeniji Adele, Oke-Popo and Tapa streets, saying the reconstruction of the three roads in Lagos Island Local Government of the state demonstrates this administration’s commitment to an inclusive and non-discriminatory developmental agenda for Lagos State.

This was just as Governor Sanwo-Olu declared that all the combined projects were an integral part of the Greater Lagos Vision, which he said presented another unique opportunity to advance the cause of Lagos State and improve the overall wellbeing of Lagosians.

The governor, who spoke at the flag-off ceremony attended by dignitaries, including the deputy governor, Dr Kadir Obafemi Hamzat; top government officials, the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu; the white cap chiefs, among others, said the need to rebuild, remodel and reposition the Massey Children’s Hospital into a 7-Storey, 150-bed, ultra Modern and fit-for-purpose Paediatrics Programmed and Emergency General Hospital was guided by the Second Pillar of his administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda which encompasses Health and the Environment.

According to him, his administration as a responsive one identified the inadequacy of the existing Massey Children’s Hospital to continue to meet the needs of a megacity with a population of 22 million people, recalling that the hospital was established in 1914 as the First General Outpatient Clinic and Referral Centre in Lagos State, and was converted to a full-fledged paediatrics hospital in 1961.

“As a result of the steady and increasing number of patients who daily throng the hospital to access medical services, the capacity has been overstretched and must be urgently upgraded to provide quality service to patients.

“Guided by the Second Pillar of our T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda which encompasses Health and the Environment, we are rebuilding, remodeling and repositioning the Massey Children’s Hospital into a 7-Storey, 150-bed, ultra Modern and fit-for-purpose Paediatrics Programmed and Emergency General Hospital,” Governor Sanwo-Olu said.

He assured that the hospital, on completion, would provide secondary integrated care services and acute care to both inpatients and outpatients in line with international best practices.

Besides, he said the new and well-equipped Massey Children’s Hospital would also help to engender a significant reduction in infant and maternal mortality.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said the Adeniji Adele, Oke Popo and Tapa streets were being reconstructed as part of the Lagos Island Area North Action Plan, noting that the regeneration project was being handled by an Inter-Ministerial Committee comprising the Ministries of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Works and Infrastructure, Environment and Water Resources.

He disclosed that the choice of the reconstruction and upgrade of the affected roads to kick-start Phase 1 of the Regeneration Plan was informed by factors, including their economic importance, the high level of traffic they convey and the complementary value these roads will add to the New Massey Children’s Hospital.

“When completed, the newly upgraded roads will improve road connectivity, unlock the perennial traffic gridlock in this area with resultant reduction in travel time, eliminate the perennial flooding often experienced in this area, enhance property values and further improve business and economic activities on Lagos Island,” he said.

The governor said his administration was poised in ensuring prompt and quality delivery of the roads by engaging a construction giant “with a great wealth of experience working in this terrain, and which incidentally, undertook the initial construction of Adeniji Adele Road,” assuring further that when completed, these projects would positively impact the lives of the good people and residents of Lagos State, including those who work and do business on this part of Lagos Island.

“I am happy to inform you that the contractor is under strict instructions to minimise the pains that will be borne during the period of construction and has been charged to ensure the timely completion of this project,” he said.

“The next destination of the Infrastructure Regeneration and Renewal Train will be Idumagbo Avenue, Ojo Giwa Street, Swamp Street, and Anikantanmo Street as well as the popular Pelewura Market, amongst others,” he added.

The State’s Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said the upgrade of Massey Children Hospital was the first to be implemented in the master plan approved by the governor for the transformation of medical infrastructure in Lagos.

According to him, the new hospital is being built on 4,000 square metres to create a comfortable environment for medical workers and patients, saying that the new hospital would have a fully equipped Accident and Emergency Department and radiology section, in addition to general and private wards among others.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Engr Aramide Adeyoye, in her own remark, said the rehabilitation work on Adeniji Adele Road, Okepopo and Tapa Streets was long overdue, noting that the listed roads form a strategic bypass traversing the administrative boundary of Lagos Island Local Government Area and Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

She said the conditions of the roads degenerated over time due to poor drainage and blockage of the water outlet channels, saying the repair effort was a deliberate move by the governor to activate the complete regeneration of Lagos Island, with an estimated size of 100.42 hectares.

“The roads will be reconstructed and upgraded to the semi-rigid pavement with reinforced concrete drains, culverts and median barrier, transverse and longitudinal service ducts and installation of Low Emission Diode (LED) powered street lighting. Alternative routes will also be provided for public use in the course of construction, just as relocation of utilities and services will be done before the project takes off,” Adeyoye stated.

Oba Akiolu expressed the residents’ appreciation to Governor Sanwo-Olu on the Massey Children Hospital’s expansion and road repair projects, saying Lagos Island remained the heartbeat of the state.

The monarch urged residents to accord full cooperation to the contractors handling the projects, even as he pleaded with the governor to extend the road rehabilitation to the stretch on Adeniji Adele Health Centre.

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