Oshibogun recommends 6 teaching hospitals for Lagos

By CHIOMA OBINNA

A public health physician and Chief Medical Director, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Professor Akin Osibogun has called for establishment of up to six teaching hospitals in Lagos State to ensure better access to quality health care for the teeming populace.

Oshibogun who spoke during a 15-kilometre walk tagged “A Walk for Life” organised by the LUTH as part of its 50th anniversary, said more teaching hospitals are needed in the State because presently, LUTH and the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, are incapable of meeting the demand.

He feared that the perennial issue of shortage of bed space in LUTH, which constitute  hindrance to patient’s access to care, has become a national challenge.

“In assessing LUTH, we cannot put the problems of all Nigerian system on one hospital. There is no hospital that can have one million beds. Every hospital will only have a limited number of beds.

“I think what we need to advocate is the establishment of additional teaching hospitals in Lagos metropolis. In my professional assessment, we need a minimum of four to six teaching hospitals in Lagos.”

Commenting on the walking exercise, Osibogun said it was meant to draw attention to the importance of exercising.

Giving an insight, he said exercise boosts the immunity, is good for the heart, helps to improve cardiovascular fitness as well as prevent or minimise effects in those who are predisposed to diabetes.

“Every person should engage in exercise, even if it is brisk walking for at least 30 minutes. It will help to promote the health of our population.  “If we had carried out the exercise inside our hospital premises, that would have been good for our staff alone, but we wanted members of the public to know that we promote exercise and we want them to also exercise,” he stated.