Lagos Launches Helipad For Medical Emergencies

Lagos State today made history by being the first among states in Nigeria to provide a helipad for medical emergencies. The facility built within the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital complex, Ikeja was a few hours ago commissioned by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

According to Ambode who rightly claimed that the facility was the first by any state in Nigeria, “The LASUTH helipad will facilitate medical evacuation and air ambulance transfer of patients to trauma centres. The helipad is a life saving asset. It is critical to complement the efficient functioning of emergency health services rendered by the state.”

On Twitter, Ambode said his government was determined to raise the standard of health facilities in Lagos State to international levels to save the lives of people. He also said the status of LASUTH as the flagship tertiary health institution in the state makes it the best location for the facility.

The governor disclosed that the helipad will be operated by specially trained personnel who will work 24 hours a day. He also revealed that Lagos State was working towards acquiring an air ambulance to increase the scope of its healthcare delivery.

Governor Ambode is doing quite a lot at LASUTH. Recently, he commissioned the 27-bed Critical Care Unit of the hospital. The government is also working on the rehabilitation and upgrading of the famous Ayinke House, the 24-hour maternity arm of LASUTH.

Akinwunmi Ambode says Lagos is on the verge of becoming a hub for medical tourism and that that status will be realised when the Medical Park at the old School of Nursing in Ikoyi is completed. The state, he claims, has approved the rehabilitation, upgrade and bulk purchase of medical equipment required in 20 secondary and 21 primary health facilities in Lagos.