LUTH @60: We’ve grown to 1000-bed hospital, serves over 25m patients – CMD

The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Professor Chris Bode, Monday, said the hospital has grown to a 1000-bed medical facility, and serves over 25million patients.

Bode, who addressed a press conference in Lagos as a part of a three-month long celebration of the 60th anniversary of the hospital, said

a new 30-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is about to be completed and put to use. 

The Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and the Medical School Complex was enacted by a cabinet decision made in April of 1961 following recommendations made by the Sir. Eric Ashby’s commission on Post-Secondary Education in Nigeria.

Bode, who was full of gratitude to God, and the Federal Government, said the hospital had pioneered Small Incision Cataract Excision Surgery in Nigeria and trained over 40 doctors from all over the country in the procedure in the past years. 

He added that LUTH had also commenced laparoscopic general and gynaecologic surgery, which according to him, had dramatically reduced the duration of hospitalisation after surgery.

“Since 1962, Lagos University Teaching Hospital has contributed in no small way in the training of medical and paramedical personnel, and our products are found across all hospitals and healthcare facilities both within and outside the shore of Nigeria. LUTH as an institution has grown from a 500-bedded hospital to 760 bed, and then to over 1000-bedded hospital serving over 25 million Lagosians and its neighbouring states.

“LUTH has pioneered Small Incision Cataract Excision Surgery in Nigeria and has trained over 40 doctors from all over the country in the procedure in the past years. The hospital has also commenced laparoscopic general and gynaecologic surgery which has dramatically reduced the duration of hospitalization after surgery.

“LUTH also boasts of a comprehensive Diagnostic Centre and VIP Clinic, state of the art Laboratories, Radiodiagnosis, Radiotherapy and Renal Dialysis facilities. From a humble beginning of 330 beds, LUTH today, is the largest Teaching Hospital in Nigeria with over 1000 beds and with the College of Medicine of the University of Lagos, LUTH is involved in the training of hundreds of Medical, Dental, Pharmacy and other Allied Health Science Students”, Bode said.

The CMD said since 2017, the hospital has been having an uninterrupted power supply courtesy of the Independent Power Project.

“LUTH is the only Federal Teaching Hospital with Independent Power Project that generates its own electricity, and therefore has been enjoying uninterrupted power supply since December 2017”, he said.

On partnership, Bode said: “Lagos University Teaching Hospital has also partnered with Smile Train since 2007. With this partnership, Smile Train has supported free surgical treatment of patients with orofacial clefts, with over 800 surgical repair of cleft lip and/palate done in LUTH so far. Other areas of care being supported by Smile Train include orthodontics care, speech therapy and nutrition for patients with orofacial clefts.

“Kids Operating room (KidsOR); a global health charity focused on brining equitable access to safe surgery for all children, and Smile Train supported LUTH with a grant of over $500,000 for the renovation, furnishing and equip two (2) state-of-the-art (paediatric) theatres, dedicated ONLY for children surgical procedures”.