Lagos to pay bills of patients in all State General Hospitals for April – Sanwo-Olu

Ayodele Olalere

Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo -Olu on Saturday announced that the state government would foot the bill of all patients in all the 27 General Hospitals in the state for the month of April.

The patients include Emergency and Casualty cases, lab tests, Maternity cases and surgeries. According to him, the state would bear the full cost of their treatments.

In his fifth COVID-19 live update at the State House, Marina, the governor, who is the Incident Commander, said the gesture was an additional measure to cushion the effect of the lockdown over the spread of Coronavirus in the state.

“Let me also seize this opportunity to announce an additional ameliorating measure to complement the welfare packages previously announced, as follows:

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The Lagos State Government will, for the duration of the restriction on movement, take full responsibility for the medical bills of all patients who fall in the following categories, at all state-owned secondary healthcare facilities:

1. Emergency / Casualty cases, including registration, laboratory tests, surgeries, and drugs.
2. Maternity Cases: Normal delivery and Caesarean Sections. What this means is that, at this time, patients with the above-listed conditions will not need to pay to access treatment and care at all our 27 General Hospitals across the State,” he said.

He warned those flouting the restriction order to desist.

“And to those who insist on flouting our directives and guidelines, who seek to take undue advantage of their fellow Lagosians at this time, and all those whose aim is to undermine the efforts of the various health authorities responsible for keeping us safe, let this strong warning go out: The strong arms of the law will catch up with you sooner than later, and you will be brought to justice swiftly and comprehensively!”

The governor also promised the state government continued cooperation with the federal government in the fight against the virus.

“As a government, we shall continue to work with the Federal authorities, represented by the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19, the Federal Ministry of Health, and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). We thank them for all the support thus far.

Our gratitude also goes to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF, who have been worthy partners every step of the way,” he said.