Health
General Hospital Apapa Improves Bed Capacity, Welfare In Okon’s 1st 100 Days
Catherine Egwuom
Dr Ime Okon has celebrated 100 days as the Medical Director of General Hospital Apapa, achieving improved patient care, enhanced staff welfare and increased bed capacity through key reforms.
Okon, at the event marking her 100 days in office, on Wednesday, said she was committed to making positive impacts and driving meaningful change at the hospital.
Okon is also the President, Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Lagos Branch.
Speaking on recent improvements, Okon said bed capacity increased from 35 to 55 with the renovation of a ward and provision of 10 additional beds, a development that has reduced referrals due to space constraints.
She emphasised that her administration placed staff welfare first, because quality healthcare depends on a motivated workforce.
“You can’t give what you don’t have,” she said.
Okon further disclosed ongoing training and retraining of staff on empathy, attitude, and patient-centred service delivery.
She noted that the emergency ward was temporarily moved to a more ambient space to improve patient outcomes and staff satisfaction ahead of the casualty unit’s reconstruction.
She added that antenatal services had been improved to include healthy tea-break snacks, aerobics sessions, and enhanced health education for pregnant women.
According to Okon, privacy measures in the wards have been strengthened, while the hospital has also introduced QR codes and other feedback channels to enable patients to share their experiences.
She further said CCTV coverage has been expanded and “mystery clients” deployed to gather firsthand information on service delivery and patient satisfaction.
The medical director disclosed that the hospital will soon inaugurate “Friends of Apapa General Hospital”, a network of philanthropists, corporate organisations, foundations, and individuals set up to support developmental projects.
Commenting, Dr Onalaja Odunuga, Commissioner II, Lagos State Health Service Commission, commended Okon for her leadership skills, team spirit and commitment to improving the hospital.
He said the hospital had witnessed positive changes since Okon assumed office, attributing the progress to her effective leadership and dedication.
“Your works are worthy of emulation. What I see here are world-class facilities that can be compared with major general hospitals.
“I urge everyone to continue as a team, and I encourage Dr Okon to continue with her good works,” he said.
Commending Okon on her 100 days in office, Dr Mosunmola Adebayo, Head, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Director, Clinical Services and Training, described her as a woman with a heart of a mother.
Adebayo said Okon introduced an open-door policy that made her approachable, receptive to opinions, and firm yet personable.
She noted that the medical director’s “work-before-play” attitude and passion for her job set the tone for the hospital.
According to her, Okon also relocated antenatal care to the main hall and personally joined health talks and exercises, adding that this made clients feel valued and special.
“Clients are happier seeing the medical director in their midst. This encourages more husbands to attend and also helps to mobilise them for voluntary blood donation,” she said.
Adebayo disclosed that Okon ensured additional operational packs were provided to ensure surgeries could proceed even when relatives were unavailable.
She added that the 24-hour surveillance provided by the CCTV coverage and inverters as backup power sources had assisted in enhancing security at the health facility. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Oluwafunke Ishola
