Some residents of Lagos have decried the non-implementation of the state government’s free antenatal and child delivery services at some General Hospitals and Primary Healthcare Centres in the state.
The residents spoke in separate interviews with the Newsmen on Sunday in Lagos.
Newsmen reports that Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had, during a media chat on February 22, announced sweeping interventions which the state would be implementing to reduce the effects of the current economic hardship on its citizens.
On health, Sanwo-Olu reintroduced a free child delivery programme for expectant mothers in all the state-owned General Hospitals and special maternity centres.
According to the governor, the state government will take up the cost of the child delivery, including caesarean section.
It would also reduce the cost of certain drugs, such as hypertension medication.
The residents said that the free antenatal and child delivery services were lip-service, stressing that the hospitals charged for every service rendered.
Mrs Funmilayo Olatunji, a trader who delivered at Ikorodu Health Centre, Ita-Elewa, said that delivery wasn’t free at the centre.
“I had normal delivery at the centre in February 2024. We paid N8,000 for child delivery fees, N10,500 for vaginal tear, and a carton of Maltina.
“I’m surprised to hear that the child delivery service was meant to be free at government facilities because the reverse was my experience,” she said.
Similarly, Mr Michael Adebiyi, whose wife delivered at Ikorodu General Hospital, Ebute, said he spent over N250,000 for caesarean section delivery and consumables at the hospital.
“My wife gave birth in February, and we paid for everything needed for the delivery from blood to caesarean section charges.
“Nothing was free; in fact, I’m still owing some people because I had to run around to source for the money.
“I was happy when I heard last year that expectant mothers would enjoy free child delivery services at government health facilities as part of relief measures to ease economic burden on families.
Punch/ Mary Ogboye
