The Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) on Wednesday donated the first state-of-the-art Ear, Nose and Throat (E.N.T) equipment in the State to General Hospital in Odan, Lagos Island.
The Committee also flagged off free Goitre surgery and distribution of hearing aids to selected women, men and children who were picked after medical screening carried out by the officials of the State.
Speaking at the event, wife of Lagos State Governor and COWLSO Chairman, Mrs Bolanle Ambode said she was indeed overwhelmed with joy as COWLSO was fulfilling one of its founding objectives which is to complement the effort of the State Government in catering for the welfare of citizens.
She said the decision to upgrade the E.N.T Department of the hospital with modern equipment and furniture, was borne out of the need for critical intervention to drastically reduce the percentage of people suffering from hearing loss, adding that the new equipment had the capacity not only to detect hearing impairments in adults, but in children and new-born.
According to Mrs Ambode, communication plays an important role in the society as hearing and understanding are central to social life, while people with hearing difficulties have the tendency to be isolated and more likely to suffer depression.
“Using hearing aid presents a number of advantages for a hearing-impaired person and these include improved oral expression. With a modern hearing aid, they not only understand others better, but others can understand them better too.
“Studies also show that hearing aids generally improve the quality of life and help affected persons get better relationship with family; feel better about themselves; get better mental health; and concentrate better at school. It also helps them feel more independent and secure.
“Our aim in this regard is to ensure that hearing defect does not constitute a limitation to children of school age, as well as adults,” Mrs Ambode said.
Speaking on free Giotre surgery, Mrs Ambode recalled that COWLSO had noted with deep concern the weekly diagnose of women with the disease, majority of which require surgery, adding that the decision to sponsor surgeries was informed by the high cost involved.
In all, she said about 30 women were selected for surgeries which include surgery tests and drug administration, while another 30 women were given modern hearing aids.
Besides, Mrs Ambode harped on the need for early treatment of infections such as measles, ear infections, complications at birth, low birth weight, ailment during pregnancy, among others, adding that people must also avoid the use of non-prescribed antibiotics and abuse of substance.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Lagos State Health Service Commission, Dr Adebayo Aderiye, commended Mrs Ambode for the initiative, saying that the kind gesture extended to beneficiaries was in line with what her husband (Governor Akinwunmi Ambode) was doing in the State which is touching lives of people positively.
He said the new E.N.T equipment had been subjected to rigorous test, and that he could confirm that they are working perfectly.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Mrs. Omodele Osunkiyesi, stressed that the thyroid surgery would prevent both cancer and cardiac complications.
He promised that the donated equipment would be put to good use.
Also, one of the beneficiaries of the free Goitre surgery, Omowunmi Aina, said by the gesture, the wife of the Governor and COWLSO members had removed suffering of over ten years from her, adding that the development was indeed commendable.
Some of the equipment donated to the ENT Department by COWLSO include Heine Otoscope, Diagnostic Audiometer AD629, video laryngoscope and propose ear injector among many others.
