Lagos tasks health workers on passionate, selfless service

NO FEWER than 18 staff of the health sector in Lagos State were at the weekend rewarded for excellent and dedicated service, even as the state government called for improved passionate service to the patients.The gesture was to enhance the drive for integrated health service delivery in the state by ensuring customer satisfaction and foster collective effort in the workforce.Lagos State Sovernor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN) said at the seventh state Health Merit Awards ceremony 2011 that the government remains committed to the sector, developing infrastructural and human capacity to promote qualitative healthcare delivery.Fashola's speech, read at the occasion by his deputy, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, noted that one of the challenges facing the sector is faulty attitude of workers.He stated that though the state healthcare had been adjudged the best in the country, there is still the need 'for our workforce to show love and care for all our patients. They need our love and care to change the public perception about us.''I am aware of the number of patients coming to our centres but I appeal to all primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare staff to improve their attitude towards the patients, their relatives and our other colleagues,' he stated.Commissioner for health in the state, Dr. Jide Idris added that the theme of this year's celebration: 'People, passion and service,' was in line with the sector's conscious effort to ensure that dedication, hard work and selflessness are acknowledged and rewarded.He said, 'since the sector deals with people from all walks of life, it is expected of the health workers to have at least minimum social intelligence to handle matters courteously and efficiently, despite the immense pressures frequently faced in the course of discharging one's official duties.'The health worker should also dedicate him or herself to the provision of service without prejudice or expectation of gratification. Loyalty to the employer and the ethics of the profession should encourage every one of us to serve with good conscience and dedication.'Idris acknowledge the contribution of every member of the health team and stressed that it is only collective effort that would help achieve the healthcare delivery system of their dreams.Apparently grateful to the state government, recipient of the best Dental Surgeon award, Dr. Biola Adeniyi of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) said on behalf of other awardees that the recognition was an encouragement to do more in selfless service.
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