Lagos District IV canvasses continuous stakeholders engagement to improve PHCs patronage
The Lagos State Health District IV has advocated for continuous stakeholders’ engagement to improve the patronage of primary health facilities under its jurisdiction and resolve some challenges affecting service delivery.
The Permanent Secretary of Health District IV, Dr. Abimbola Bowale stated this at a community engagement meeting held with the officials of Local Government Health Authority (LGHA) and World Health Committee (WHC) which took place in Apapa and the Lagos Island East Local Government Secretariat, Lagos.
Bowale stated that the dialogue with LGHA and WHC plays a key role in ensuring that PHCs serve their communities effectively, emphasising that the PHCs were established to serve the public hence the need for continuous stakeholder engagement.
He noted that it is important to have this meeting to enable communities to benefit from the health services available to them.
According to him, the LGHA is a key component in the management of PHCs, while the LGHA and WHC members are closest to the communities to ensure that PHCs serve their needs. Therefore, it is very important to engage them to make PHCs more effective.
He lauded the state government for its prompt approval to replace health workers who had resigned, especially Medical Doctors, adding that such staff replacement has positively impacted employment in the health sector in Lagos State.
Bowale also highlighted the challenges posed by the daily influx of people into Lagos State, noting that there is no record of their health status, particularly regarding immunisation.
On her part, Dr. Titilayo Oni, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Health District IV, expressed satisfaction with the large turnout of stakeholders at the meeting, stating that community representatives presented their observations, underscoring the need to strategise and improve service delivery.
Oni, who also serves as the Medical Officer of Health in charge of Surulere Local Government, however, expressed concern over the low turnout of community members at PHCs under Health District IV, adding that the meeting is an eye-opener and should attract greater attendance.
Similarly, Dr. Sotunde Oludolapo, Director of Medical Sciences and Disease Control, Lagos State Health District IV, called on members from various local government health authorities to pursue Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for improved service delivery.
She noted that philanthropists from organisations domiciled in the communities can support the district through CSR initiatives to enhance health services at PHCs.
