Catholic hospital opens dialysis centre

Most Rev (Dr) Alfred Adewale-Martins, Catholic Archbishop of Lagos and Proprietor of St. Raphael Divine Mercy Specialist Hospital, Ikorodu has called on government to strengthen the health insurance scheme in the country.

Adewale-Martins made the appeal during the launch of a Dialysis Centre sponsored by Okogie and Afolabi families at the hospital (St. Raphael Divine Mercy Specialist Hospital) early this week.

According to him, when the health care system is not properly put together alongside the pension health insurance scheme, the people naturally suffer more.

“So for this reason, it is important that our health insurance schemes are strengthened and made available for everyone so as to minimize the trouble for anyone who need to access health care facilities.”

The Director of Administration, Sr. Mary Hyacintha Ihedike, EHJ, said the centre was a dream come true, to save lives of people who suffer the deadly disease especially the residents of Ikorodu and its environs.

She said: “Establishing the Centre took a toll of substantial investments from some well meaning Nigerians. We are however asking the state and federal government to support the centre and others in the country.”

She maintained that the dialysis centre is an access to healthcare initiative sponsored by the Afolabi and Okogie families, aimed at ensuring access to quality and affordable health care services for those with kidney disease.

“If kidney problems are diagnosed early, they could be treated well. It is a project at the right time when our sick patients find it so difficult to access dialysis in order to maintain their health.”

“Health is of utmost importance to man. An individual can make his contribution to the development of the society only if he is healthy. This informs why priority should be given to our health. It goes to show why we are happy that this dialysis centre is being commissioned today. It is a facility that would save many lives in Ikorodu and beyond.