… The Space Will Provide Comfort For Patients, Caregivers – Oloyede
Mrs Bimbo Oloyede with some LASUTH Staff.
Lifeline Advocacy And Development Initiative, LADI, a non governmental organization has handed over an Open waiting area for cancer patients and their relatives, at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital. LASUTH, Ikeja-Lagos.
The old Open waiting area was replaced with a new one that has interlocking stones, and branded tarpaulin.
According to the founder, Mrs Bimbo Oloyede, a veteran journalist, there are several reasons for donating this Waiting Area, attached to the Oncology Department at LASUTH. This waiting area will be useful on patient treatment days because it will provide extra space for patients to sit comfortably, while waiting for their test results or waiting to see doctors and nurses.
It will also provide seating for caregivers who are accompanying their loved ones and who may not be able to sit in the designated reception area. She also said that with the growing number of patients and caregivers, the waiting area will help to create more space within the Oncology department so that order is maintained by the hospital staff and activities streamlined on patient days.
The Waiting Area
The donation of this waiting area is part of LADI’s mandate to make patients and caregivers using public hospitals more comfortable. This is part of LADI’s effort to ensure that LASUTH patients who may be sick, tired, or in pain are comfortable as they receive treatment. This waiting area promises to provide seating, shelter, ventilation, and reduces stress and discomfort.
Mrs Oloyede added that the new Oncology Open waiting Area will not only ensure safety, privacy and efficient and professional service delivery but will also “enable relatives or caregivers to stay close to patients, offering emotional support, while preserving the dignity of patients.”
Giving insight into the reasons for the donation, Mrs Oloyede recalled, “In 2014 my husband was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer. Between that time and 2017, my family and I spent a lot of time waiting for him, and with him in various hospitals. My daughter, Ms. Bukky Oloyede, who is here today, often waited with me during those challenging times, however, because we had assistance, we were privileged most times to sit comfortably and peacefully while he went through tests or received treatment.
Part of that time was just across the road from here because on 3 occasions he was admitted in this ward when fluid gathered in his lungs and he needed the attention of thoracic surgeons. I sometimes stood at the window and observed happenings in this building. Certainly we passed the oncology unit each time we drove into these premises.”
She further explained, ” I spoke to a member of staff here who was very helpful to us at that time. I discussed ways of contributing to the hospital’s work. We have kept in touch since those days. His name is Linus Mattias and I asked him to come today because this waiting area is partly as a result of our discussions several years ago.
It is also a demonstration of part of the mandate of the Lifeline Advocacy and Development Initiative LADI, which was launched in 2024, to assist patients and caregivers in public hospitals on treatment days.
“When we donated wheel chairs, reception chairs, inspirational wall frames, drip stands and bedside stools about three months ago, LADI’s Programme Officer and senior journalist (Health), Mrs. Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha, noticed this space and pointed it out to me.
We discovered that it was a waiting area attached to the Oncology Department. As I said at the beginning, I have spent many hours just waiting and I shared with my team that we must make this area more comfortable for patients and carers.
To the glory of God and with the help of my family and team, and the support of the hospital management, I am happy to hand over this waiting area to the management and pray that its purpose to provide some comfort to patients and caregivers, will be fulfilled. I thank our donors and supporters for giving me the opportunity to make this contribution to cancer care. I pray that this is just the beginning,” she concluded.
LASUTH representative, Director Clinical Services and Training, LASUTH, Prof. Adebowale O. Adekoya, received the facility on behalf of the Hospital.
With him are Coordinator, Burns and Trauma Centre, LASUTH Annex, Gbagada, Dr Taiwo Omosebi, Deputy Chairman Medical Advisory Committee/Clinical Services, Dr Bamidele Ayodele, Senior Special Assistant to the CMD, Kingsley Dabur, Radiation and Clinical Oncologist, Dr Oladunni Yusuf-Oduyoye, Dr O Adebiyi, Resident Doctor, Dr K Nwosu, Resident Doctor, Dr Y Olowolagba, Resident Doctor, ADNS Oyebanji, Oncology nurse, CNO J Oshoja, Oncology nurse, and Admin Officers, Mr Abiodun Omotosho, Mrs Olaitan, and Mary.