By Ayomide Otitoju
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday continued the state’s annual Christmas outreach to public health facilities with a visit to Gbagada General Hospital, where he celebrated the yuletide with patients and frontline health workers.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide, the governor toured key wards of the hospital, including the Emergency and Casualty unit, paediatric, male and female wards, as well as the antenatal and postnatal sections, identifying with patients receiving treatment during the festive season.
The visit forms part of the Lagos State Government’s tradition of spreading Christmas cheer to patients hospitalised during the holidays, while also boosting the morale of health workers on duty. Dr. Lajide conveyed the governor’s goodwill message, stressing that the state places high priority on the health and wellbeing of all Lagosians and that no resident should feel forgotten, especially during a season of love and hope.
She explained that celebrating Christmas within hospital wards was a deliberate gesture of solidarity with patients unable to be with their families, while urging residents to embrace positive health-seeking behaviour and seek medical attention early, noting that good health remains true wealth.
Dr. Lajide also commended the management and staff of Gbagada General Hospital for their dedication, professionalism and compassion, assuring them of the government’s continued support in providing resources for quality healthcare delivery.
The Permanent Secretary was accompanied on the tour by the Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Olusegun Babafemi, the Apex Nurse, Mrs. Temitayo Olotu, and other members of the management team, as gifts were distributed to patients across the wards.
The Rotary Club of Gbagada, led by its President, Rotarian Tosin Olawoyin, also joined the outreach, presenting Christmas gifts and underscoring the importance of partnerships in supporting public healthcare and patient welfare.
Earlier, Dr. Babafemi expressed appreciation to the governor and partners for their consistent support, noting that the outreach aligns with the state’s commitment to giving hope and encouragement to patients during the festive season. He commended hospital staff, particularly those on duty during the holidays, for their sacrifice and dedication to patient-centred care.
The highlight of the visit was the presentation of awards and gifts to the Outstanding Staff of the Year 2025, alongside recognition of outstanding wards within the hospital, in acknowledgement of excellence, teamwork and commitment to service.
The Christmas outreach ended with prayers for healing and renewed strength for patients, as the Lagos State Government reaffirmed its resolve to place people at the centre of its healthcare system.
