By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

The Lagos State Government, in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), has convened a high-level review meeting under the IMPACT Project to assess progress in Primary Health Care (PHC) delivery and strengthen healthcare systems across participating states.

The meeting brought together officials of the NPHCDA, World Bank, National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), State Ministries of Health, State Primary Health Care Boards, project managers and accountants to review implementation activities, financial commitments and strategies for sustaining PHC interventions nationwide.

Speaking at the event, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, described strong primary healthcare systems as critical to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

According to him, Lagos State has continued to modernise PHC facilities through the construction of purpose-built centres equipped with improved ventilation systems, solar-powered infrastructure, infection prevention mechanisms and decentralised isolation units.

Abayomi also stressed the need for sustainable healthcare financing through the domestication of the National Health Insurance Authority Act and wider implementation of mandatory health insurance schemes.

“Strengthening PHC remains a critical determinant for achieving Universal Health Coverage,” he said.

On malaria control efforts, state officials presented findings from a large-scale malaria surveillance study which indicated lower malaria prevalence than previously estimated, while emphasising the importance of evidence-based diagnosis using Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs).

In her goodwill message, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Kemi Ogunyemi, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to health sector reforms and improved healthcare delivery.

She noted that the IMPACT Project had supported PHC infrastructure upgrades, improved malaria diagnosis, service integration and accountability systems across the state.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, Ibrahim Akinwunmi Mustafa, said Lagos adopted a governance strategy involving local government chairmen, development partners and technical experts to improve PHC ownership and financing.

According to him, the initiative strengthened collaboration between state and local governments and resulted in a draft compact aimed at improving PHC governance and sustainability.

A representative of the NPHCDA, Amina, commended Lagos State for organising the meeting at short notice and urged delegates to participate actively in the deliberations.

The IMPACT Project Team Lead, Onoriode, said the meeting focused on reviewing PHC upgrade projects, outstanding obligations, accountability systems and collaboration between state and local governments.

At the end of the meeting, stakeholders resolved to strengthen accountability and financial reporting mechanisms, improve collaboration with local governments and intensify supportive supervision to ensure sustainability of PHC interventions nationwide.

Participants also recommended that Lagos State’s PHC financing and engagement model be documented for possible adaptation by other states.