Health
One Year in Office: The Giant Strides of Professor Adetokunbo Fabamwo in LASUTH
By Abolade Adewale
The provision of specialized medical care which usually involves advanced and complex procedures and treatment performed by specialists in state-of-the art facilities occurs at the tertiary healthcare institutions in Nigeria which are funded by either the federal or state government.
There are three levels of healthcare delivery in Nigeria, primary, secondary and tertiary and these are represented by the primary health centres; the general hospitals and the teaching hospitals respectively.
The patronage from clients and a good referral system are the main links between these levels. However, it has been established that only very few patients are referred to tertiary hospitals while the larger number of patients report directly to these hospitals without referral.
The non-usage of the referral system has led to the overcrowding which is experienced in tertiary health facilities with problems that can be managed at the lower levels. Highly skilled manpower and equipment are wasted on health problems requiring lesser resources to solve. This is the summation of happenings across the 48 teaching hospitals in the country.
In a place like Lagos State, there are over 20 million residents and in the quest for affordable healthcare, the belief is that the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) is the only place where quality healthcare can be received.
This has led to an over-stretching of services, personnel and the facilities within the hospital and it behoves the leadership of the hospital to know the steps to take in order to make it live up to expectations.
The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of LASUTH, Professor Adetokunbo O. Fabamwo, had confronted these issues in his one year in office. He has continued to make the hospital evolve in the provision of healthcare services in a way that can meet the demands of Lagosians. Within this short time frame, the CMD has brought tremendous growth to the hospital in various forms.
The Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, who was also a part of the pioneering team that evolved the institution in 2001, completed a renovation of the Psychiatry Ward and it has become an ultramodern ward, as of today. Also, the ancillary theatres in the hospital have been resuscitated, these are the LASEMS; Dental and Ophthalmology theatres.
Going further, the hospital, through a Private Public Partnership, will commence the production of oxygen in the hospital by February 2020, while an artificial eye production unit is currently functional and four new machines at the dialysis unit are being installed. All these efforts will stand the hospital out in the provision of outstanding medicare for Lagosians.
According to Prof Fabamwo, the provision of quality healthcare services to Lagosians and Nigerians is of utmost priority to the hospital, noting that, “In the area of clinical services, the hospital has new full-fledged, optimally equipped 8 bedded ICU; a 10 bedded stroke unit; modern Ear Nose and Throat ward and a new fully functional audiometry unit.”
The CMD noted that over N20 million has been expended on the purchase of various ophthalmic equipment which include, Zeiss Lumera 300 operating microscope; Tomey FT 1000 fully automated non-contact tonometer; Tomey SP 100 portable pachymeter; Unicos URK700 automated refractor and keratometry unit. The new X-ray machine in dental clinc, the Monopolar resectoscope set; Semi rigid ureteroscope; flexible ureteroscope and percutaneous nephrolithotomy set in Urology unit are parts of the equipment procured.
“In the area of utility, another achievement is the re-establishment of the Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) system that assure patients and their relatives of their safety within of the hospital. The hospital is being enhanced in the area of computerization and networking as an internet service company now provides internet in the premises and various units within the hospital have computers and printers. The hospital has purchased a heavy-duty utility truck and a new fully-fitted ambulance,” he said.
Asides all these, the hospital has enhanced electricity supply by installing solar powered solution in the medical and surgery emergency units as well as the theatres and MRC buildings.
Similarly, a 500KVA Generator has been installed at the Burns and Trauma Unit of the hospital located at the Gbagada General Hospital. These will address the incessant power outages at both locations.
The leadership team is also forming global alliances that will assist in the delivery of quality medicare to Lagosians, the University of Sweden will be donating a full complement Drug Analysis Laboratory to the hospital. There are other individuals, corporate, governmental and non-governmental organizations that have enhanced service delivery within the institution.
With all these giant strides of the Chief Medical Director, the hospital is acting in tandem with the T.H.E.M.E.S agenda of the current democratic administration being led by Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Executive Governor of Lagos, wherein Healthcare and Environment is one of the cardinal pillars that will bring forth a Greater Lagos.
Professor Adetokunbo O. Fabamwo is optimistic that the hospital is poised to become the quaternary healthcare destination in Sub Sahara Africa as he charged all members of staff of the hospital to redouble their effort so that the institution can become a one-stop-shop for tertiary healthcare.
Abolade Adewale is a Public Affairs Analyst. He can be reached via ab*******@***oo.com or on 07062021341
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced the recall of a sexual enhancement product known as WAP Sensual Enhancement Capsules.
In a statement on Monday, the Nigerian agency disclosed that the recall is due to “undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients” in the product, whose country of origin is unknown, but is marketed and distributed online in the US through eBay.
It was emphasised that the recall is being “voluntarily” made by the manufacturer, Best Supplements Best Prices Company.
The detection of the undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients was made by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Laboratory analysis by the US FDA revealed that the product contained undeclared sildenafil, tadalafil, and flibanserin, which were not mentioned on the product label. Such substances may include phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors or related compounds commonly used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, the statement by NAFDAC stated.
Sildenafil and tadalafil are ingredients in FDA-approved prescription drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction.
It was noted that these undeclared ingredients may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs, such as nitroglycerin, and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. Consumers with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease often take nitrates.
Flibanserin is the active ingredient in an FDA-approved prescription drug used to treat low sexual desire in women. Flibanserin can cause drowsiness, sedation, dangerously low blood pressure, and fainting, especially when combined with alcohol.
Consumers have been encouraged to report compromised products (medicines or medical devices) to the nearest NAFDAC office, call 0800-162-3322, or send an email to sf******@********ov.ng.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Dr Obi Adigwe has been appointed as the pioneer National Coordinator of the National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office (NHTDAO).
The body was created by the Ministry of Health under the approval of President Bola Tinubu.
NHTDAO will be domiciled in the Office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, a statement on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, stated.
The agency will serve as a meta-level national platform for coordinating the country’s digital-health agenda. It will reinforce, not replace, the existing statutory functions of relevant departments and agencies, it was emphasised.
The organisation will also harmonise and empower the public and private institutions across the health system, set the standards that connect them, and operationalise the National Digital Health Architecture, approved by the National Council on Health in November 2025.
It was stated that President Tinubu expects NHTDAO to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to a secure, interoperable and data-driven health system that improves outcomes for all citizens.
Mr Adigwe, as Director General of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, has leveraged science to catalyse interventions in artificial intelligence, translational research, and technology transfer.
He coordinated major projects, including the ¥300m Nanotechnology grant and the AFREXIMBank grant for Africa’s first API Training Facility. He led the roadmap development that underpinned an €18 million EU grant, the largest in Africa for the thematic area. During the last pandemic, Adigwe globally showcased African science by undertaking the world’s first analysis to debunk claims about the Covid Organics preparation.
The Office’s Steering Committee, which provides strategic direction and oversight, comprises:
- Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare (Co-chair)
- Mr Olaniyi Yusuf, Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (Co-chair)
- Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare (Alternate Co-chair)
- Ms Kachollom Daju, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
- Mr Idris Alubankudi Saliu, Special Adviser to the President on Technology and Digital Economy
- Dr Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq, National Coordinator, SWAp Coordination Office
- Dr Abdu Mukhtar, National Coordinator, Presidential Initiative to Unlock Healthcare Value Chain
- Dr Muyi Aina, Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency
- Dr Kelechi Ohiri, Director General, National Health Insurance Authority
- Director, Health Planning, Research and Statistics, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
- National Information Technology Development Agency Representative
- Six representatives of the State Commissioners of Health, one from each of the six geopolitical zones
- Pharm Hamza Buhari, Stakeholder representing Industry and Community.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Lagos State government has kicked off an initiative to ensure that every newborn is screened for Sickle Cell Disease within 48 to 72 hours after birth using a simple heel-prick test.
It was gathered that babies identified as being at risk will immediately be placed on preventive care while awaiting confirmatory testing.
The Head of the Haematology Department at the Alimosho General Hospital, Dr Olubukola Orolu, revealed that an estimated 150,000 babies are born annually with Sickle Cell Disease in Nigeria, giving the country one of the highest SCD burdens globally.
She, however, applauded the Lagos State Government and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) for introducing the state-wide newborn screening programme, describing it as a major step towards reducing childhood deaths associated with the disease.
The commencement of this scheme coincides with the 2026 World Sickle Cell Day, themed Young Voices Rising for Sickle Cell Disease – Closing the Survival Gap: Equity in Sickle Cell Disease.
It highlights the importance of listening to the experiences and aspirations of young people living with Sickle Cell Disease.
Mrs Orolu noted that SCD warriors are increasingly breaking barriers as advocates, leaders, students and change-makers, adding that their voices have continued to reshape the narrative through advocacy for equitable, patient-centred healthcare, self-care and experience sharing.
She, therefore, called for equal access to quality healthcare, survival opportunities and dignity for everyone living with Sickle Cell Disease.
Also commenting, the chief executive of Alimosho General Hospital, Dr Akinyele Akinlade, described Sickle Cell Disease as an inherited blood disorder that is not contagious, noting that individuals living with the condition are more susceptible to infections.
He advised SCD warriors to stay well hydrated, avoid stress, and protect themselves from extreme cold or heat, as these are common triggers of sickle cell crises, adding that these preventive measures can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of crises.
One of the participants, Ms Borokini Zainab, an SCD warrior and student nurse, expressed appreciation to the organisers for the enlightenment programme.
Sharing her personal journey, she spoke about the challenges of balancing recurrent pain crises with her academic pursuits and personal life. Despite moments of frustration, she encouraged fellow warriors not to lose hope.
“Don’t let sickle cell put you down. Be encouraged from within. Don’t let your dreams be shattered because of this,” she said, adding that her personal experience with Sickle Cell Disease inspired her to pursue a career in nursing so she could support others living with the condition.
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