Muhammad Armayau, a resident of Badagry area of Lagos state, has just shared his incredible story of how Lagos state emergency responders saved his 7-month-old baby from the brink of death. The infant developed a high fever after battling an elevated temperature for two days, leaving the family stranded in the heavy rain with no means of transportation.
Muhammad Armayau said that his family got relief when they called the Lagos State emergency toll-free line, 112. An emergency response officer immediately requested his address and a nearby landmark after hearing the baby crying in the background. About 20 minutes later, the Lagos Emergency Response Call Centre called back to confirm that an ambulance had been dispatched and discussed with him how the crew could locate the family due to the darkness.
The ambulance crew had to travel about 24 Kilometres from General Hospital, Badagry to attend to the emergency. At the hospital, Muhammad said that the baby received immediate treatment, and he paid ₦2,000 to open a patient file, ₦8,000 for laboratory tests, including a Full Blood Count and malaria test, and about ₦4,000 for prescribed medication. He noted that if his Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme coverage had remained active, the total cost would have been about ₦1,400.
Muhammad Armayau commended the Lagos State emergency responders for their swift intervention, saying it was reminiscent of public services delivering value to residents in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom. He also praised the cleanliness of General Hospital, Badagry, and the commitment of healthcare workers on duty.
However, he appealed to the Lagos State Government to upgrade the state of the roads in the Badagry area, particularly the Ibiye–Checkpoint–Magbon road which became impassable during the heavy rainfall.
"My seven-month-old daughter developed a high fever after battling an elevated temperature for two days. When the thermometer read 38.5°C, panic set in," Armayau said.
Muhammad Armayau's appeal was not just a generic call to action, but a specific request with a solution. He suggested that the government upgrade Ilepo Primary Health Centre into a 24-hour facility to cater for emergencies like the one his family experienced. He also advocated for the employment of more doctors at General Hospital, Badagry, and the development of a unified electronic medical records system across government hospitals.
While the Lagos State Government has made significant investments in the healthcare sector, including the upgrading of General Hospital, Badagry, Muhammad Armayau's plea highlights the need for more robust emergency response systems and sustainable funding models to support public health services.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of investing in public health and emergency response systems to save lives in the face of emergencies. By upgrading healthcare infrastructure and improving the efficiency of emergency response services, the Lagos State Government can better serve its citizens and reduce the risk of preventable deaths.
Lagos State has made significant progress in recent years, but there is still much work to be done to ensure that all citizens have access to quality healthcare and emergency services.
Muhammad Armayau's story is a testament to the power of public services delivering value to residents and the need for continued investment in healthcare infrastructure and emergency response systems.
Key Facts: * Muhammad Armayau's 7-month-old daughter fell critically ill during a heavy downpour in Badagry area of Lagos state. * The family called the Lagos State emergency toll-free line, 112, and received a swift response from emergency responders. * The ambulance crew had to travel about 24 Kilometres from General Hospital, Badagry to attend to the emergency. * Muhammad Armayau paid ₦12,000 for medical treatment and medication. * He appealed to the Lagos State Government to upgrade the state of the roads in the Badagry area and invest in more robust emergency response systems.