Kunle Adelabu
-Begins installation of medical equipment
About 20 months after the foundation of what was initially conceived as a Renal Centre at the General Hospital, Ikorodu, but today known as Critical Care Centre, was laid by the Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative Limited (IDPIL), the uncommon facility is set to be commissioned.
Towards the commissioning slated for May 7, the developmental organization has started supplying and fixing necessary medical equipment that will provide proper care for patients with critical health issues, at the facility.
Otunba Ganiyu Abiru, the Executive Secretary, IDPIL, made the revelation recently, while conducting journalists round the facility that is almost completed.
Among other IDPIL chieftains that were at the tour of the facility were Odofin Adewunmi Ogunsanya, SAN, Chairman, Otunba Ayodele Elesho, former Commissioner for Information, Lagos State, Chief (Mrs) Adebimpe Akinsola, former Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Lagos State, Dr. M.O. Oyebo, a medical practitioner, Mr Salami Awolaru, IDPIL Administrative Secretary, Engr. Femi Kalejaiye and Barr. Adetoun Adekoya, Legal practitioner.
When finally completed and equipped, the facility would feature a dialysis centre, doctors’ offices, nurse’s station, call room for nurses, patient waiting lounge, staff meeting room among others. The ICU wing provides a 22-bed capacity to manage critically ill patients requiring specialised and continuous monitoring.
Otunba Abiru, conducting journalists round the facility, said that the exercise is been done to bring the public up to date on the project. He commended Odofin Adewunmi for his altruistic disposition to the development of Ikorodu and for providing necessary leadership and funding for the project.
He informed that the visit was in preparation for the official commissioning of the facility.
Also speaking, High Chief Adewunmi Ogunsanya (SAN), the Chairman of IDPIL, stressed that the project represents a collective commitment and efforts of the members that conceived the idea of the project, rather than an individual accomplishment.
According to him, the initiative reflects the shared vision of IDPIL members to strengthen healthcare delivery in Ikorodu, noting that the presence of such a high-grade medical facility will boost both treatment capacity and professional medical training within the community.
He informed that the facility would enhance the existing facilities at the General Hospital, and serve Ikorodu better when it is completed.
The IDPIL Chairman also revealed that the body is planning to embark on construction of an orthopedic centre also at the General Hospital, lkorodu.
Dr Luqman Kareem, Director, Clinical Service & Training, General Hospital, Ikorodu, who led the hospital team at the tour, thanked the IDPIL for the laudable initiative which he described as uncommon and critical to quality health service delivery.
According to him, apart from the provision of care for patients, the facility would also serve as a training ground and research centre that would further develop the field of medicine.
“I thank the IDPIL for this initiative which is a very important centre. This facility is uncommon and we cannot find this again in Lagos State
“Renal centre is just an aspect of this facility. It is also going to serve as an intensive care unit; a section that would have more than 15 beds for intensive care. This is the only one for now in Ikorodu division of Lagos State, and the next place to have something similar is Ikeja and that is a PPP arrangement from what we know.
“With this donation, General Hospital, Ikorodu is now posed to serve the people of Ikorodu division and beyond. This facility will also serve to train doctors and other health care workers who would have their training here, and we would be able to generate a lot of data through research work.
“In summary, it is a major health facility for Ikorodu division and indeed Lagos State, because it can take care of about 20 patients simultaneously that require intensive care and advanced life support”, Dr Kareem said while assessing the facility.
He said that the facility, when fully operational, would elevate the status of General Hospital, Ikorodu, higher.
“Ikorodu General Hospital is the leading General Hospital in Lagos State. I am bold to say that. We have won several awards, and we have quality people that are working here with effective management. This is going to significantly complement what we have now. So, we would continue to lead with the support of the Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative. We are moving far ahead of the others
“And if you are looking at the Renal centre in Gbagada and here, from the knowledge that I have, the equipment that would be used here would be top notch. We are not talking about centres that have been in use for 3 to 5 years. We are talking about 2026 facility.
“In terms of capacity for patients; having Renal Center and ICU together, this is the first of such”, he said.
Also responding to questions from journalists, Mr Feyi Sholanke, the Construction Manager for the facility, described it as amazing.
“It is amazing and one of its kind. I have never seen a place where the hospital staff are so happy about what is coming, and they can’t believe someone is doing this for the hospital. So, it is not just about the general public, it is also about the hospital and how much it’s going to impact the hospital.
“We have actually been hearing the feedback from them and how much difference it will make to them and the community as a whole”.
Ajewole Oluwaseun, the Architect that designed the project, said that many things were factored into consideration when the facility was designed, such as space, ventilation and the ambience.
While stating that the project is big enough to accommodate people in need of critical medical care, the architect added that people should expect a fantastic and functional facility.
