The Federal Government of Nigeria has taken over a general hospital run by the Lagos State Government to convert it into a Federal Medical Centre, increasing the number of FMCs in the state to two.
The State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Tunji Alausa, on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) facilitating the improvement during the first Lagos Trauma Conference held in Lagos.
According to news on the government website, the upgrade of the hospital came following a request by Mr Sanwo-Olu to the federal government to establish advanced healthcare infrastructure within the Epe division of the state.
The Epe General Hospital, located in Lagos East Senatorial District, when completed, will now provide tertiary health services for the district.
The existing tertiary facilities in the senatorial districts of the western state with the Lagos Teaching Hospital, Idia-Araba; The Federal Medical Centre, Ebute-Metta, and the Lagos State University Hospital, Ikeja, are concentrated in the Lagos Central district.
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In his remarks, Sanwo-olu described the upgrade as a “game-changer” for healthcare delivery in Lagos, demonstrating effective collaboration between the state and federal governments.
“The upgrade of Epe General Hospital marks a new step forward in our tireless efforts to expand access to quality healthcare for our residents. The conversion of the hospital into a Federal Medical Center is a turning point that will shape the future of healthcare delivery in Lagos,” Mr. Sanwo-Olu was quoted as saying.
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The specialized care services that will be integrated into the FMC include Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Open Heart Surgery Unit, Cardiac Catheterization and Advanced Obstetric and Gynecological services for high-risk pregnancies and gynecology cases, among other services.
The new collaboration between Lagos and the Federal Government also sees the establishment of the Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (FEDCAM), a new specialized training institution in Ilara Igboye, Epe Division.
The university will offer specialized programs including acupuncture, naturopathy, homeopathy, chiropractic medicine, osteopathy and herbal medicine.
Apart from upgrading the general hospital, the MoU also provides for the establishment of a School of Nursing at FMC, the admission of which will begin next year.
Mr Alausa noted that the establishment of nursing schools and FEDCAM would offer young people opportunities to undertake the programs and become professionals in medical disciplines and fields of complementary and alternative medicine.
The minister said: “The creation of this Federal Medical Center in Epe is set to bring not only better health outcomes but also numerous socio-economic benefits to the area.
“It will stimulate local businesses, create employment opportunities for our people and attract a wide range of healthcare professionals to Epe, thereby enriching the local economy and improving the wellbeing of residents.”
trauma care system
The conference, whose theme was “Improving Trauma Care and Emergency Healthcare Systems for a Prosperous Lagos”, brought together healthcare experts to address the trauma care needs of the state.
Speaking on the theme of the conference, Mr. Sanwo-Olu said the trauma care system in Lagos must keep pace with the rapid population growth and physical development of the state to ensure effective management of day-to-day medical emergencies and large scale crisis.
He said the state government would expand its trauma centers to improve the level of preparedness and reduce trauma response time.
“While we have made significant progress in the delivery of healthcare in Lagos, there is still a considerable gap between the demand for trauma services and our current capacity to provide them. It is essential that we address this need with a clear understanding of the areas that require improvement and a strategic vision for the future,” Sanwo-olu said.
The First Lady of Lagos State, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, also a doctor, also spoke on the importance of trauma care, drawing on her experience as a doctor.
“The need for a robust trauma care system is undeniable. Emergencies can affect anyone at any time, whether it is traffic accidents, domestic violence or natural disasters,” said Ms Sanwo-olu.