LASG REITERATES COMMITMENT TO STRENGTHEN PATIENTS’ SAFETY IN HEALTH FACILITIES 

 … Pledges Quality Healthcare Delivery 

The Lagos State Government has assured the residents of the State of the provision of safe, affordable, and quality healthcare services.

The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance on Sunday during the commemoration of the Y2023 World Patients’ Safety Day themed: “Engaging Patients For Patient Safety”, organised by the Lagos State Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) held at General Hospital, Gbagada.

The First Lady, who was represented by the Medical Director/Chief Executive Officer of Ebute Metta General Hospital, Dr. (Mrs.) Juliana Olunuga said that World Patient Safety Day is set aside for global solidarity and concerted efforts to improve patient safety, bringing together patients, families, caregivers, communities and health workers, among others.

She said the objective of the celebration is to create awareness and engagement towards enhancing understanding and global solidarity to improve patient safety and reduce patient harm. Sanwo-Olu said patient safety and access to quality healthcare remain the pivotal spots in the THEMES plus developmental agenda of the present administration for Greater Lagos.

While noting that the State Government has put measures in place to revamp, rejuvenate, and reposition the health sector for effective and efficient service delivery, the First Lady urged residents and the patients to play their role by ensuring total compliance with medical tips, advice and prescriptions to prevent a high mortality rate in the State.

Also speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Agboye said the theme of the Y2023 World Patient Safety Day is in tandem with the mandate of the Ministry, which is to ensure that every patient who seeks care within the Ministry’s borders receive qualitative, affordable, and equitable healthcare services by a highly motivated staff applying the appropriate technology at the highest level of safety and quality.

The Permanent Secretary, who was represented by the Director of Disease Control, Dr. Rotimi Agbolagorite, said the State Government has made significant strides in patient safety through public sensitisation, stakeholder and meetings among others, to ensure that residents are aware of various diseases, how they can be prevented and controlled.

Earlier, in her remarks, the Chairman of the HEFAMAA Board, Dr. Yemisi Solanke-Koya said World Patient Safety Day, established by the World Health Organisation, is a global platform for raising awareness about patient safety issues and advocating for actions to improve the safety of healthcare services.

She said engaging the patient community in patient safety initiatives broadens the channels of communication and provides insight into the unique perspective of patients regarding their healthcare options.

The Chairman stated that HEFAMAA has been a constant and invaluable agency that seeks to foster patient safety through the inspection and monitoring of health facilities in the State.

The Executive Secretary of HEFAMAA, Dr. Abiola Idowu, on her part, said the celebration of World Patient Safety Day is to create awareness and advocacy on Patient Safety and the harm which unsafe healthcare provision causes.

While saying that there is a need to call for action to ensure patients receive treatment without the fear of being harmed, Dr. Idowu urged patients to engage their doctors in a conversation, feel free to ask questions and take responsibility for their health. She also advised doctors to communicate better with their patients to ensure they comply with medical instructions given to them.

As part of the celebration, an award for the most patient-friendly public hospital was presented to Ikorodu General Hospital while Evercare Hospital bagged the most patient-friendly private hospital.

The event had in attendance the Medical Director/Chief Executive Officer, Gbagada General Hospital, Dr. Olusegun Babafemi; Medical Director/Chief Executive Officer, General Hospital Ikorodu, Dr. Taiwo Hassan and other medical practitioners in the State as well as guests.