The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has commended the Lagos State Government for its prompt and effective response as well as efficient health care management of survivors of the collapsed building on Lagos island.
Speaking when he paid a visit to the victims at the Lagos Island General Hospital, Adewole said he was impressed by the promptness of the emergency response of the State and the efficient health care deployed to ensure the survivors of the sad incident were stabilised and kept alive.
He recommended that the proactive system be adopted by all states of the federation to reduce mortality during emergencies.
The Minister also appreciated the State Government for granting free medical care to the victims in order to remove any barriers to prompt, qualitative and comprehensive care needful for their rehabilitation.
Responding, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Jide Idris, thanked Adewole and seized the opportunity to address the issue of the rumour that some of the survivors were being charged for health care.
Idris said he earlier refuted this allegation based on the clear directive of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, which was passed on to all government-owned facilities.
He however warned that any government official caught extorting any survivor or demanding for gratification would be made to face strict disciplinary actions.
Idris said “demanding that survivors who were already traumatised to pay for medical bills was not only unethical but also criminal”.
He called on family members who have evidence of such extortion to contact the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Titilayo Goncalves, on O8023049478, with authentic proof.
Idris also expressed appreciation to some corporate organizations, particularly Shell, and other well meaning individuals who have been donating items and other forms of support for the treatment of the survivors.
He appealed that the donations be well coordinated and properly channeled for reasons of transparency and accountability.
Earlier, Idris revealed that it was unfortunate and sad that 20 corpses were brought to Lagos State mortuaries from the site.
Forty-five survivors were received and were managed by government health facilities, notably Lagos Island General Hospital, Massey Street Children hospital, Onikan Health Centre, Gbagada General Hospital, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, National Orthopedic Hospital Igbobi and Lagos University Teaching Hospital.
He commiserated with bereaved families and reiterated the State Government’s s continued commitment to the welfare of its citizens.
According to the Medical Director of Lagos Island General hospital, Ismail Ganikale, more survivors will still be discharged from the hospital to their families before the close of work on Saturday.