By Chioma Obinna
A 22-year-old pregnant woman found unconscious on a Lagos street has been rescued from the brink of death, delivered of a healthy baby girl and reunited with the Plateau State Government in what officials described as another success story of the Lagos State emergency healthcare intervention programme.
The woman, identified as Tingni Kindness, was discovered unconscious in the Allen area of Lagos on June 6 and rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, after the Lagos State Health Management Agency’s Assistance in Distress, LASHMA-AID, received an emergency alert from the Lagos State Ambulance Service, LASAMBUS.
After receiving emergency treatment and being stabilised by doctors, Kindness remained under medical care until June 21 when she safely delivered a baby girl.
At a ceremony held at LASUTH, Ikeja, Lagos State formally handed over the mother and her newborn to officials of the Plateau State Government for rehabilitation and continued care.
Speaking at the event, Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, said the agency responded immediately after receiving the distress call at about 9 p.m. on June 6.
According to her, LASHMA-AID swiftly secured a bed space at LASUTH, where the unconscious woman was rushed for emergency treatment.
She said: “Immediately the alert came in, LASHMA-AID swung into action and contacted LASUTH for bed space. Upon confirmation, she was transferred to the hospital where treatment commenced without delay.”
Zamba said the successful rescue highlighted the effectiveness of the Executive Order signed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, which guarantees emergency stabilisation for residents facing life-threatening situations, regardless of their financial status.
“We are here today to commend LASUTH and draw the attention of everyone home and abroad to what the Lagos State Government is doing towards providing emergency services to ILERA EKO enrollees and vulnerable residents,” she said.
She assured residents that the programme would continue to provide life-saving emergency care for indigenes, non-indigenes and other vulnerable persons in the state.
The Permanent Secretary also appealed to the Plateau State Government to provide accommodation and economic support for the young mother.
“She has no source of livelihood. We urge the Plateau State Government to empower her so she can adequately cater for her baby,” she added.
Also speaking, the Chief Medical Director of LASUTH, Prof. Adetokunbo Fabamwo, said Kindness was unconscious but not in labour when she arrived at the hospital.
“Our managed care commenced immediately and she was stabilised. As we were making arrangements to transfer her to an appropriate shelter because she had no accommodation, she went into labour and successfully delivered her baby girl,” he said.
Fabamwo disclosed that the hospital subsequently contacted the Plateau State Liaison Office in Lagos to facilitate the safe return of the mother and child.
Representing the Plateau State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Caroline Pamglang Dafur, the Principal Administrative Officer of the Plateau Liaison Office in Lagos, Mrs. Philomena Yakubu, commended the Lagos State Government, LASHMA and LASUTH for saving the lives of the mother and child.
“If not for the swift intervention of LASHMA, only God knows what could have happened,” she said, assuring that the Plateau State Government would provide adequate care, protection and support for both mother and baby.
An emotional Kindness recounted that she initially thought she was being wheeled into the mortuary when she arrived at the hospital.
She thanked Governor Sanwo-Olu, LASHMA, LASUTH and the hospital’s Social Welfare Department for saving her life and that of her baby.
Meanwhile, LASHMA disclosed that since LASHMA-AID became fully operational in March 2026, the emergency intervention scheme has saved 34 lives, comprising eight ILERA EKO enrollees and 26 vulnerable residents, through rapid emergency stabilisation and access to life-saving medical care.
