By Peter Dansu A memo directing the emergency unit staff to attend to patients without a request for payment upfront was issued by the Medi...
By Peter Dansu
A memo directing the emergency unit staff to attend to patients without a request for payment upfront was issued by the Medical Director of Badagry General Hospital, Dr. Olatunde Bakare, on the following regards regarding life-saving care.
This was part of a juncture of memos he issued on Tuesday, June 22, 2025, to alert medical personnel that they must save lives first and above any consumerism-related issues when emergencies strike.
In an interview with Daily Trust reporter in Badagry, Mr. Podo Mighty-Pen, Dr. Bakare asserted that the hospital is to have a zero-monies tolerance in emergency case delays. "Do NOT ask for money or payment for anything in an emergency situation. Save lives first," part of the memo stated. "Be seen to be proactive, prompt and empathetic," it added, reminding staff to also be mindful of their utterances when dealing with patients and relatives.
The memo also charged the Apex Nurse and Matron-in-Charge to ensure that a complete stock of necessary drugs and consumables stays on the emergency tray upon leaving duty each and every day.
In addition, this stance by Badagry General Hospital comes at a time when the public has been complaining about unavailability of drugs in the social media space. It was particularly triggered by one patient who complained that none of the medication prescribed for him after carrying out tests in the hospital was available from pharmacies.
Revisiting his report earlier in the day at the hospital, he observed very serious activities firing in key departments including Pharmacy, Emergency, Laboratory, and CMC units. Addressing the media within the same premises, Dr. Bakare and Mr. Ufuoma Ayara, Head of the Pharmacy Department, offered clarifications as well as reassurances.
According to Dr. Bakare, the hospital cannot procure unlimited stock of drugs at all times, but the drug supply is quite stable. "We buy insurance drugs worth over one million naira weekly and spend an average of 12 to 15 million naira to purchase SDRF drugs from the Oshodi Medical Store (OMS)," he mentioned. At that point, he explained that the SDRF (Service Delivery Resource Fund) drugs are sold to patients while those covered by insurance are issued free to those with valid health insurance.
However, he acknowledged that not all drugs fall under the insurance policy coverage, hence the patients are advised to contact the Insurance Desk Officer at 08037529559 or the HOD Pharmacy directly at 09083363825.
He also addressed the issue where some drugs are not accessed for use every now and then, especially at the end of the month. "Yes, stock levels may run low around month-end. That’s because all 30 general hospitals in Lagos State receive supplies on a rotational basis from OMS, and we can’t jump the queue," he clarified.
Dr. Bakare expressed the problems that people have with the hospital as "very disappointing," adding that some patients would rather complain on social media than bring their grievances directly to the hospital's management, whose contact numbers — including his — are visibly posted around the facility. "We are humans too, and our primary duty is to save lives. If there's an issue, come to my office or call any of the displayed lines. We're always open to help," he appealed.
He added that his appreciation goes to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, for continuous support extended to the health sector, particularly the Badagry General Hospital.
As he goes on about the hospital fulfilling its mandate, Dr. Bakare reiterated that public feedback was encouraged, but it had to be used constructively, especially when lives hang in the balance.
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