The Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) has urged Nigerians to embrace philanthropy as a means of supporting the growth and development of healthcare services in the country.
The Chief Medical Director of LASUTH, Prof. Adetokunbo Fabamwo, made the call at the 2nd Annual Sir Mobolaji Bank-Anthony Memorial Lecture held on Wednesday in Lagos. He was represented by the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, Prof. Adebowale Adekoya.
The lecture was organized to commemorate the life, deeds and virtues of the late Sir Mobolaji Bank-Anthony. This year’s theme was: “The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Assisted Reproductive Technology: Revolutionizing Fertility Treatment for the Future.”
Fabamwo said Bank-Anthony had made immense contributions to healthcare delivery in Nigeria, particularly in promoting maternal and child health. He described him as a generous philanthropist and notable businessman who cared deeply for the poor and less privileged, recalling that he donated the Ayinke House to the then Ikeja General Hospital in 1990.
According to him, the memorial lecture serves as a reminder to wealthy and well-meaning Nigerians to invest in initiatives that improve lives and strengthen the nation’s health system.
“The philanthropist built the Ayinke House and named it after his late mother. The significance of this event is not only to celebrate his generosity but also to encourage other affluent Nigerians to recognize that their good deeds will be remembered long after they are gone,” he said.
Fabamwo stressed that government alone cannot meet all healthcare needs, adding that partnerships with private individuals and organizations remain crucial to achieving high-quality patient care nationwide.
The Guest Lecturer, Dr Lateef Akinola, emphasized the need for health practitioners to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) to enhance outcomes. He noted that AI, including machine learning and deep learning, is transforming fertility treatment by offering data-driven solutions that improve diagnosis, optimist treatment, and standardize in vitriol fertilization (IVF) laboratory procedures.
“These innovations help clinicians personalize ovarian stimulation, reduce risks such as ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome, and prevent cycle cancellations,” he said.
Akinola added that AI-powered computer vision now provides more consistent sperm analysis, enhancing accuracy in assessing motility, morphology and DNA integrity.
He said the full potential of AI in ART would depend on rigorous validation, ethical oversight and seamless integration with clinical expertise, ultimately supporting higher live birth rates and safer treatment.
In her remarks, Mrs Fummi Bank-Anthony, a granddaughter of the late philanthropist, thanked LASUTH for sustaining her grandfather’s legacy. She described him as an “epitome of integrity” and pledged continued support for efforts to uphold his contributions to healthcare.
Providing more insight into the Ayinke House, the Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at LASUTH, Dr Abimbola Ottun, said the facility now boasts world-class maternal and child health infrastructure. She noted that it has expanded from its original 70-bed capacity to about 170 beds, including a 16-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU), three human support units and other modern facilities.
The event was attended by the Ayinke nursing team, consultants, medical doctors, gynaecologists, stakeholders and other guests.
