Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, has refuted reports circulating online claiming that only one dialysis machine is functional at the Alimosho General Hospital, Igando.
Abayomi said the hospital’s Dialysis Centre currently has eight operational machines, with six dedicated to general dialysis patients and the remaining two designated for patients living with HIV or hepatitis.
The commissioner, in a statement on Monday, explained that the arrangement was adopted in accordance with infection prevention and control guidelines.
“The Dialysis Centre at Alimosho General Hospital, Igando has 8 dialysis machines, and all 8 are working,” Abayomi said.
He disclosed that dialysis treatment at the facility begins from 6am and continues until the final patient scheduled for treatment has been attended to, with services sometimes extending to midnight.
“We run up to 200 dialysis sessions every month, supported by a dedicated standby generator,” he said.
According to the commissioner, the extended operating schedule is intended to ensure that patients who require dialysis are not denied access to treatment.
He added that residents could also access dialysis services at other government-owned health facilities in the state, including Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, General Hospital Lagos, General Hospital Gbagada, Infectious Disease Hospital, IDH, Yaba, and Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Metta.
Abayomi further disclosed that the state government was developing additional dialysis centres in different parts of Lagos to expand access to the service.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Lagos State Ministry of Health to ensuring that residents have access to dialysis and other essential medical services.
“The health of Lagosians is our priority at the Lagos State Ministry of Health,” he said.
Lagos Govt debunks report of one functional dialysis machine at Alimosho Hospital