Lagos Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, has been presented with special recognition awards by the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award (NHEA) in recognition of the outstanding approach at COVID-19 response and management in Nigeria.
This is just as Lagos was voted the Most Responsive COVID19 State Government of the year at NHEA 2021 which held at the Eko Hotel, Victoria Island at the weekend, Prof. Akin Abayomi bagged the award for the Most Outstanding COVID19 State Health Commissioner of the year.
The commissioner who was on hand to receive both awards at the event themed “Celebrating Our Healthcare Heroes”, dedicated it to frontline workers for their role and sacrifices in the COVID response efforts.
“We have a policy not to receive any award on COVID-19 because the disease is still existing but today we are here to acknowledge some of the bravery of all the health front line workers.
“During the battle against the wave one and the wave two of COVID-19, we lost some our colleagues, we lost 14 health professionals; 12 doctors and two nurses. So just to remember that there are still people dying around the world from COVID.
“We want to say that we really appreciate all the work that has been done by the frontline workers and sacrifices that have been made; during COVID19 some doctors and nurses and professionals never saw their family for four weeks; they were constantly on call working night and day trying to save lives”.
“And to all the healthcare heroes, all of you, these awards are for you, these awards are yours”, Abayomi stated.
Earlier, Chairman Advisory Board of NHEA Dr. Anthony Omolola had applauded the Lagos State Government and the Ministry of Health for a well-coordinated COVID response which helped to flatten the curve of infection.
“We are very proud of how Lagos State Government and Ministry of Health responded to the outbreak of COVID-19”, he said.
Omolola explained that the NHEA is an annual event that celebrates distinguished personalities and organizations who have contributed immensely to the growth of the Nigerian health sector.
“Over the years, the NHEA has endeared more awareness on the quality and standards of services provided by various stakeholders in the industry, by inspiring them to adopt International best practices and aspire to be the benchmark for excellent health care service delivery in Nigeria and Africa in general.
“NHEA’s recognition aims to stimulate quality improvement and innovation in the Nigerian health sector leading to improved service delivery & management of key health issues and the capacity of individuals to influence and set new performance standards in Nigeria & beyond”, Omolola said.
