You probably have heard countless stories about baby factories across the country. Well, it is a fad that has refused to go out of whim. Often, the stories of teenage girls kept in pens to bear and forfeit their babies are part of the touching stories. Some of the centres have been raided by the police, but a host of them are still thriving. Now, think of a baby factory licensed by law and to which people stream to of their own accord. Consider also that this factory delivers more than 300 babies every month.
Then, you are likely thinking what a large number that is! When you calculate that much for a year, you have a staggering 3,600 babies! And it is happening in Lagos. Now, you are wondering where the hell that factory is located. Well, Sunday Sun took a trip to this spectacular outfit and made an interesting discovery. Welcome to Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, the nation’s largest baby factory. It is one baby factory without the ills often associated with the other factories you may have known. Established in 1960, Island Maternity (as it is fondly called) has been caring for expectant mothers for more than 50 years. And that is to say that the first set of babies born in this hospital are already parents themselves; or even grandparents.
So, over the years the hospital has emerged one of the health facilities to reckon with across the country. And like it was reliably gathered, people come to this hospital from every part of Lagos and even neighbouring states. And each time you are there, the crowd is always amazing. Our correspondent recently visited the age-old facility and reports that it is still the largest baby factory in the country. As at 9 a.m. when our correspondent got to the place, a large number of pregnant women were already waiting for hours. It was discovered that but for the walls begging for a coat of paint, most of the facility appeared to be in good shape. The floor is clean and one can conclude that it was swept that morning.
The reception hall, which wore shiny tiles, must have been mopped up that morning. That is a plus, you would say. But beyond that, there is the laboratory, the family planning section, the heart-to-heart centre, the pharmacy (one for free drugs and another for drugs paid for), and then the canteen from which a refreshing aroma steamed. One couldn’t get a feel to justify the taste on the tongue. Well, that is obviously where meals are prepared for patients. It was gathered that meals are served patients free of charge. However one expectant mother decried how long she had to wait each time she came for ante-natal.
Island Maternity is one of the several government hospitals that, if you bring an emergency obstetrical case, even when the patients and relatives do not have money, we are mandated by law to provide succour within 24 hours without making deposition of money mandatory.” He expressed regret that most of the patients were usually brought in in very bad shape. “In a month, for example, we do about 100 emergency caesarian sections. These are emergencies; I am not talking of elective surgeries. I am telling you that less than 30 per cent of these people will even pay fully whatever token fee they may be charged at the end of the day. And that is even after we would have saved them and sorted out things.
So, when you hear that we lose some lives, those are lives of pregnant women brought in very bad condition; where despite our capacity as a well-equipped outfit, the situation may be helpless.” In one month, Dr. Imosemi said, “we deliver between 250 and 300 babies, but that doesn’t tell the true picture, because years back, the figures were even higher. Overtime the government has built capacity in other general hospitals. Why should people come from Epe, Ikorodu, Badagry, etc? So, the Island Maternity of old, where everybody came here may not be again, because it does not augur well for quality care no matter the number of doctors you may have.” It is very likely that some babies born in this hospital years ago are also reading this piece. Hope you had an interesting ride through Nigeria’s largest baby factory.
Source: THE SUN News
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