The Lagos State Primary Health Care Board has convened the first Joint Leadership Dialogue aimed at strengthening and repositioning Primary Health Care across Lagos State, bringing together Local Government and LCDA Chairmen alongside key health sector stakeholders.
Eko Hot News reports that the high-level dialogue, held on Tuesday, marked a historic step toward reinforcing Primary Health Care as the foundation of a responsive, accessible, and people-centred health system in Lagos.
The meeting attracted the chairmen of Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas, reflecting a unified resolve to improve grassroots healthcare delivery statewide.
Speaking at the forum, the Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Hon. Musbau Lawal, described Primary Health Care in Lagos as the backbone of effective service delivery.
He commended the State Government, the LSPHCB, and Local Governments for sustained investments in constructing, rehabilitating, and equipping PHC facilities across LGAs and LCDAs.
Hon. Lawal, however, stressed that physical infrastructure must be supported by strong governance, adequate staffing, essential equipment, security, electricity, potable water, and firm political commitment.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, described the dialogue as timely and strategic, noting that bringing all Local Government executives together highlighted their critical role in achieving long-term health goals.
He explained that key universal health coverage indicators, including maternal and infant health outcomes, nutrition, health insurance enrollment, and service accessibility, fall largely within the responsibility of Local Governments.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to revitalising PHC services in line with the THEMES Plus Agenda.
She urged Local Government Chairmen to meet counterpart funding obligations, strengthen collaboration with the LSPHCB, and ensure transparency in managing health resources.
In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the LSPHCB, Dr. Ibrahim Akinwunmi Mustafa, described the dialogue as a call to leadership, ownership, and collective action.
He noted that Primary Health Care represents the closest interface between government and citizens, stressing that visible local leadership improves health outcomes and community trust.
Dr. Mustafa reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to providing technical leadership, coordination, and oversight to strengthen PHC delivery.
At the end of the dialogue, Local Government Chairmen unanimously resolved to deepen collaboration with the LSPHCB to deliver quality, equitable, and sustainable healthcare services across Lagos State.
