The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Tuesday, commissioned a 48-chamber state-of-the-art morgue facility at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Yaba in Lagos.
According to Sanwo-Olu, the new morgue donated by IHS Towers to the state government, it will serve the entire Lagos state, not just the Infectious Diseases Hospital.
He said: “Death is not something we pray for, but we also fully accept its inevitability. We know that when it happens, it is absolutely necessary for the departed to be treated with care and dignity, until it is time to commit them to mother earth.
“This is why we have morgues, and why we will never shy away from expanding our morgue capacity.”
Recalling a congestion experience in mortuary capacity in the state in April, Sanwo-Olu said COVID-19 lockdown coincided with the end of lent, deprived many families the chance to bury their loved ones.
“We had to open a special window for funerals to take place, so as to decongest the mortuaries,” he emphasised.
Although those were exceptional circumstances, the governor added that it was clear from that experience that Lagos could do with an expansion in its morgue capacity.
To fulfill the state’s dire need, IHS stepped up and donated a state-of-the-art morgue facility to the Infectious Diseases Hospital.
While commending IHS Towers for its good gesture, the governor called on other private sector players to emulate the generosity and good corporate citizenship of IHS Towers.
He noted, “COVID-19 pandemic has brought all hands-on deck to support the efforts of governments in Nigeria and globally.”
“In recent months”, he stressed, “We have seen first-hand the immense support and generosity of the private sector, especially to the healthcare sector in the state; significant donations of infrastructure, consumables among others, to help strengthen our medical systems at a time when it is under great strain from the Coronavirus pandemic.”
“Here is a company that, over the last two decades, has created a significant business, investment and philanthropic footprint in Nigeria. You have tirelessly implemented philanthropy in education, thought leadership, environmental conservation, and healthcare.
“As your corporate slogan declares, you have consistently been ‘Towers of Strength’ in every sector in which you have intervened with your CSR. We look forward to more partnerships and support in the future,” Sanwo-Olu said.
