Wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, today welcomed the first babies of the year in four state-owned health facilities, namely: Mushin General Hospital, Alimosho General Hospital, Orile Agege General Hospital and Ayinke House, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.

Dr. Sanwo-Olu, who was at these hospitals to celebrate the arrival of the newborn babies, stated that the birth of a child for most people symbolises the assurance that our heritage and life force is carried on to the next generation.

She said, “As with a lot of cultures, not just in Yoruba Land but across the world, the birth of a child brings good fortune to a society. But we must recognise that these events do not happen by chance”.

“Just as the birth of a healthy baby requires that the mother takes steps to ensure that she lives a healthy life whilst pregnant and gets skilled care during labour and delivery, we must also play our part to ensure that we live the kind of life that will promote our own welfare and the well-being of our society”, Sanwo-Olu added.

The Lagos First Lady noted that the event is not just to celebrate a new life but also to seek opportunities to make a difference in the lives of the people by showing kindness and compassion, expressing hope that the year will be full of accomplishments and the State will grow stronger despite the COVID-19 pandemic currently ravaging the world.

While highlighting strategies implemented by the present administration in the State to strengthen the health sector and halt the trend of maternal and child mortality in Lagos State, she disclosed that the health sector in 2020 was supported by the government through the provision of Neonatal Care Units, equipment and resources to various State Health facilities to enhance the quality of maternal and child care services in Lagos State.

She acknowledged the efforts of the State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi and his team for the great improvement recorded in the State health sector, especially in the fight against COVID-19 in the last few months, stressing that his commitment towards infrastructural upgrade, provision of relevant equipment and human resource development is exemplary.

Mrs. Sanwo-Olu, therefore, called on all residents to continue to support the State Government in the fight against COVID-19, emphasising that COVID-19 is real and still in the community.

“All hands must be on deck towards flattening the curve of the second wave of the virus by strictly adhering to all preventive and safety guidelines designed to ward off the threat of the virus”, she said.

Earlier in his remarks, the State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi noted that the first baby of the year remains a symbolic event as it shows that the very first activity of the State government every year is seen to focus on health.

“Its significance is demonstrated by the priority it is given, with the visit of the wife of our Governor and the many important dignitaries, who could have been elsewhere, but have chosen to spend their first few hours of the new year here in our public hospitals. They make it a duty to be here to rejoice with our mothers on the birth of their children and that, in itself, speaks volumes”, he said.

The Commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, reiterated that State Government is committed to reducing Maternal and Child Mortality by implementing various interventions, including implementing advocacy, sensitisation campaigns and community dialogues targeted at maternal and child survival, upgrading of existing health infrastructure to provide basic and comprehensive obstetrics care, as well as other maternal and child health services.

Abayomi enjoined all mothers, fathers and the entire citizenry both in rural and urban areas to support the State Government’s effort in reducing the incidence of maternal and child deaths, through active involvement and participation in the State Maternal and Child health intervention programmes and campaigns.

The Commissioner averred that the fight against COVID-19 is not yet over and advised that all hands must be on deck towards flattening the curve of the second wave of the virus through strict adherence to all preventive and safety protocols.

The first babies of the year in four state-owned health facilities welcomed by Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu include Baby Amoo, a male who weighed 3kg and delivered at exactly 12:01 a.m by Mrs. Tomilola Amao, at Mushin General Hospital; Baby Onumba, a male who weighed 4.35kg and delivered at 2:38 am by Mrs. Foluke Onumba at Alimosho General Hospital.

Others are Baby Ajayi, a girl, who weighed 2.35kg and delivered at 12:01 a.m by Mrs. Abosede Ajayi at Orile-Agege General Hospital and Baby Adesola-Fagade, who weighed 3.3kg and delivered at 12.21 am to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Adesola-Fagade at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (Ayinke House, LASUTH).