…Restates commitment to attainment of UHC
…Pays working visit to Ministry of Health, health agencies
LAGOS Nigeria – In a significant move aimed at strengthening the delivery of qualitative and efficient health services to residents of Lagos State, the newly constituted Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Health Services and Primary Health Care has expressed its commitment to work with the Lagos State Ministry of Health towards improving access to affordable healthcare services and attainment of universal health coverage.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Lawal Aina Musbau who led other members and the secretariat of the committee on working visit to the Ministry of Health today, assured the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi and top management staff of the Ministry, of the Committee’s cooperation, collaboration and support towards implementing laudable health policies, programmes and projects of the State Government that will improve wellbeing of citizens.
Speaking during an interactive session between members of the committee and leadership of the Ministry of Health held at the Conference Room of the Ministry, Hon. Musibau stated that the Lagos State House of Assembly recognizes the prime place of universal health coverage in improving access to health care services, thus prompting the need for stakeholders’ collaboration to achieve the all-important goal.
He said: “Lagos State House of Assembly led by Rt. Hon. Mudasiru Obasa recognizes the importance of the attainment of universal healthcare coverage in the state, and it is determined to give maximum support to the Ministry of Health in the provision of efficient, equitable, affordable, qualitative and sustainable health care services to the nooks and crannies of the state.
Explaining the purpose of the visit, the lawmaker stated that the familiarization visit and interactive meeting with the leadership of the Ministry of Health was aimed establishing harmonious working relationship between the committee, the Ministry and other health agencies, adding that the meeting would afford members of the committee a firsthand knowledge of the challenges in the State health sector.
“The purpose of the visit is to acquaint members of the newly constituted committee with the activities of the Ministry and also establish harmonious working relationship between the committee and the Ministry of Health. We want to know where the Ministry as well as other health agencies are situated, and know some of your challenges,” he said.
Hon. Musibau explained further that the Committee will also be visiting all health agencies and parastatals under the Ministry of Health, noting that the visit of the committee is part of the oversight function of the legislative arm of government, reiterating that the administration of the 10th assembly will work hand in hand with the members of the health sector to ensure a smooth and effective health care service delivery.
“I promise you that this administration of the 10th assembly, under the leadership of Rt. Honorable Obasa, we try to assist you, and you feel free to share your challenges and ideas with the committee.” He said.
Earlier, Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, who welcomed the members of the Committee to the Ministry, explained that the Ministry of Health is the nerve center of the State health sector where all health related activities in the state are coordinated, adding that the health family is an extremely large one with about 400 public health facilities with about 20,000 employees across all agencies and health Care facilities.
“We are the Ministry of Health for Lagos State, which means that our business is not just public health facilities, but it is every medical facility in Lagos State of which we have about 400 public health facilities with about 20,000 employees, 4000 private health facilities and over 10,000 alternative medicine practitioners in the state,” he said.
While briefing the committee on the activities of the Ministry, the Commissioner stated that one of the main functions of the Ministry of health is to see how the state can achieve Universal Health Coverage where every citizen can gain access to a basic minimum package of health care delivery.
“Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Health is putting in place strategies to ensure a social justice system is operated in the state whereby the rich and the affluent can somehow cover the cost of health care for our indigent population. So, we are in the process of transforming the health sector.” He said.
He, however, assured that the Health family will always work hand in hand with the house committee on health to achieve set goals of the Health and Environment mandate of the THEMES PLUS agenda of the Governor Sanwo-Olu led administration.
The other members of the newly constituted house committee include; Hon Ogunleye Gbolahan, Hon. Olumoh Lukmon, Hon Akinsanya Ayinde Nureni, Hon. Lawal-Olumegbon Omolara, Hon Oluwa Subur, and the Secretary to the committee, Mr. Omotayo Ahmed.
On hand to receive Chairman and Members of the House Committee on Health were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health who was represented by the Director, Medical Administration, Training and Programs, Dr. Funmilayo Shokunbi as well as Directors and Heads of Unit in the Ministry of Health.
