TheCable

Akin Abayomi, commissioner for health in Lagos, says 12 doctors and two nurses in the state have lost their lives to coronavirus while in the line of duty.

On Friday, Abayomi was honoured with the award of “Most Outstanding COVID-19 State Health Commissioner of the Year” at the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award (NHEA) 2021.

The NHEA is an annual event which celebrates distinguished personalities and organisations who have contributed immensely to the growth of the Nigerian health sector.

Speaking at the award ceremony themed “Celebrating The Healthcare Heroes”, the commissioner commended health professionals for the sacrifices they made in order to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

Dedicating the award to the workers, he said some doctors and nurses did not go to their homes for weeks because they were caring for COVID-19 patients.

“During the battle with COVID in wave one and two, we lost some of our colleagues. We lost 14 health professionals — 12 doctors and two nurses. We have to remember that there are still people dying around the world from COVID, ” he said.

On behalf of Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos governor, Abayomi also received the award of “Most Responsive COVID-19 State Government of the Year”.

Abayomi said the Lagos state government has set up a strategic committee for COVID-19 third wave motivation and prevention.

He explained that the mission of the committee is to ensure that Lagos and Nigeria as a whole do not experience a third wave of infections.

“The team is working hard to make sure that we can carry on with our economic livelihood in the centre of excellence. The city that never sleeps, never rests, the city that is constantly alive and we want to keep it that way,” Abayomi added.

“We appreciate all the work that has been done by frontline workers and the sacrifices that have been made during COVID-19.”

The NHEA also honoured Aderonke Kale, first female major general in the Nigerian army; John Idoko, president of the Society for Aids in Africa (SAA) and John Nwaiwu, chairman of the pharmacy tower project of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) with the Lifetime Achievement Award (LAA).