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LASEMA DG, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency has partnered with public hospitals and other agencies to enhance emergency response efforts and reduce loss of life during crises.
The initiative was unveiled on Thursday during the agency’s strategic session on emergency response protocol, with participants drawn from across the various Lagos State-owned hospitals and the state Ministry of Health.
Representatives from the Lagos State Health Scheme, Lagos State Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency and the Lagos State Ambulance Service were also in attendance.
At the session, LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, emphasised the importance of cross-sector collaboration to address emergency response challenges.
The session would address the issue of bed space availability for victims to avoid using overburdened hospitals.
He said, “While you are saying there is no bed space in some of our hospitals, there are some that are highly underutilised and they have consultants there.
“That is why we want to know the facilities that are in the various hospitals so that they are not overstretched and so that we can transport some of these patients, instead of going to places that are highly overstretched without bed space, we go to other less utilised hospitals where the patients will still receive the same treatment.
“This is part of the things we are looking at, establishment of protocols and efficient networking.”
Oke-Osanyintolu added that the session would also focus on establishing protocols and networking systems to streamline communication and improve preparedness.
“Today we want to establish a holistic protocol which is going to make our communication not only effective but efficient, so we will be speaking the same language.
“Rules and responsibilities will be defined. With this, you will discover that it is a way of gingering up our response and preparedness. It is a way of being on top of challenges to ensure the safety of lives and properties,” he reiterated.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties, Mr Sesan Ogundeko, however, identified challenges such as traffic congestion and the non-acknowledgement of sirens by road users.
“These obstacles persist, but LASEMA remains responsive and well-spread across the state,” Ogundeko added.
