LSPHCB LEADS HISTORIC JOINT LEADERSHIP DIALOGUE TO REPOSITION PRIMARY HEALTH CARE IN LAGOS.
In a bold and unprecedented move to transform grassroots healthcare delivery, the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCB) on Tuesday convened the first-ever Joint Leadership Dialogue on Strengthening the Primary Health Care (PHC) System, bringing together Local Government and LCDA Chairmen from across Lagos State as well as key health sector stakeholders in a landmark show of unity and purpose.
The high-level engagement, which was attended by Chairmen of Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), marked a defining moment in the collective resolve to reposition Primary Health Care as the cornerstone of a responsive, accessible, and people-centred health system in Lagos.
Speaking at the historic gathering, the Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Hon. Musbau Lawal, described Primary Health Care as the bedrock of effective health service delivery and commended the State Government, the LSPHCB, and Local Governments for sustained investments in the construction, rehabilitation, and equipping of PHC facilities across various LGAs and LCDAs.
Hon. Lawal stressed, however, that infrastructure must be matched with strong governance, adequate staffing, essential equipment, security, a reliable power supply, potable water, and an unwavering political will.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, described the LSPHCB-convened dialogue as strategic and timely, noting that assembling all Local Government executives in one forum underscored the indispensable role of grassroots leadership in achieving Lagos State’s long-term health development goals.
According to him, key indicators for universal health coverage, including maternal and infant mortality reduction, improved nutrition outcomes, hospital bed-to-population ratios, and expanded health insurance enrollment, fall largely within the purview of Local Governments. He, therefore, called for stronger alignment, accountability, and deliberate investment in Primary Health Care.
Delivering the goodwill message, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi reaffirmed the State Government’s unwavering commitment to revitalising PHC services in line with the THEMES Plus Agenda.
She described the LSPHCB initiative as a catalyst for sustainable health reforms and charged Local Government Chairmen to meet their counterpart funding obligations, strengthen collaboration with the Board, and ensure transparency in resource management.
In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Ibrahim Akinwunmi Mustafa, mni, described the dialogue as a defining call to leadership, ownership, and action, emphasising that the success of Primary Health Care depends on purposeful collaboration between State and Local Governments.
He noted that PHC represents the closest interface between government and the people, stressing that visible leadership at the local level, through timely funding, routine supervision, and direct engagement with PHC facilities, significantly improves health outcomes, boosts health worker morale, and strengthens community trust.
Dr. Mustafa emphasised that the LSPHCB remains fully committed to providing technical leadership, coordination, and oversight, while fostering shared ownership of PHC successes.
He described the strengthening of Primary Health Care as a lasting legacy that will reduce pressure on secondary and tertiary health facilities while directly improving the quality of life of Lagos residents.
At the end of the dialogue, the Local Government Chairmen unanimously resolved to deepen their commitment to delivering quality, equitable, and sustainable healthcare services through revitalised PHC facilities, working in close partnership with the LSPHCB to achieve universal health coverage across the State.
More photos below.
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