TheCable

Akinwunmi Ambode, governor of Lagos state, on Wednesday inaugurated a new road linking the premises of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja from Mobolaji Bank Anthony way.

Ambode who also inspected the progress of work on the LASUTH maternity hospital popularly known as Ayinke House, ordered contractors handling the project to work day and night to deliver it within the next six months.

In a statement by Habib Aruna, his chief press secretary, Ambode said the initiative was designed to permanently remove difficulties associated with accessing medical care faster during emergencies.

He said it was a thing of joy that after about three to four decades, another access road had been created to LASUTH, just as he directed the management of the institution to ensure proper usage of the facility.

The new road which is 400 meters long, was designed with street light, drainage, median and ornamental features.

“We are very delighted to be here. We believe strongly that the major cornerstone for the growth of the economy of Lagos actually lies in the hands of all of you here because if we don’t have a healthy state, we cannot have a productive economy and that was why we decided that we would pay greater attention to the health sector,” Ambode said.

“We realised that just one entrance into this whole complex is too dangerous. It’s been like that for almost three or four decades and we are happy to be here opening another access road and thereby saving lives.

“That is the way it should be because patients can come in ambulance but held up almost thirty minutes and unable to disembark but this road will remove the tragedy that may occur through such and we are happy to commission this project.

“We are also happy that in another five to six months, we will be back here to make the Ayinke House functional and in addition to that, there are other two projects going on here and we have received assurances also that before May 2018, those ones will be completed also.”

Ambode said his administration would not relent in implementing policies and projects designed to scale up the health sector, and also monitor the performance of workers in the sector to ensure efficient service delivery.

He also inspected ongoing projects across the state and ordered additional projects such as lounge for families of patients and canteen, as well as Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) department to be included in the ongoing upgrade and expansion of Alimosho General Hospital.