By Bunmi Orija
The rich also cry, so the saying goes. Prior to the eruption of the corona virus epidemic currently ravaging the whole universe, these two hospitals could only be patronized by the creme de la creme cum high celebrities in Nigeria. Welcome to the sudden ‘misfortunes’ of Reddington and St. Nicholas Hospitals, Lagos. Recently, the Lagos State Government led by Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu declared these two billionaire’s health abodes alongside 15 others as ‘no go areas’ even for the poorest residents of the state due to the fact that they have been discovered to have gotten exposed to covid-19 patients. Sadly also, among the other 15 hospitals are equally those meant for the rich and nouveau who reside on the many exotic and highbrow estates on the Lagos Island. The full list of the hospitals as released by Governor Sanwo-Olu are:
- St Edwards Hospital, Ajah
- Premier Specialist, VI
- Vedic Lifecare, Lekki
- The Point Hospital, Surulere
- Chosen Church Hospital, Ijesha
- Ikorodu General Hospital, Ikorodu
- Alimosho General Hospital
- Ultra Care Hospital, VI
- St Nicholas Hospital, Lagos Island
- Reddington Hospital, Lekki
- Southern Shore Hospital, Chevron-Lekki
- Paelon Memorial, Ikeja
- Choice Opticals
- First Cardiology Consultants, Ikoyi
- County Hospitals, Ogba
It was alleged in a report that as there is serious local transmission, with Lagos State recording the highest number of cases in the entire country, it cannot be ascertained how many other private hospitals have been visited by Covid-19 patients. The Lagos State Government however calls on residents to advise anyone suspected of having covid-19 symptoms to call NCDC or any of the Lagos testing centers. The government also urged Covid-19 patients not to visit any private hospitals adding that these measures will help save lives and make it easier for the government’s healthcare workers to deliver their duties appropriately.