The Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Health Services and Primary Healthcare has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening primary healthcare delivery following an oversight visit to the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCB) at the state secretariat in Alausa, Ikeja.
The visit was aimed at assessing the board’s operations, identifying challenges affecting service delivery and strengthening collaboration between the legislature and the agency to improve access to quality healthcare across the state.
Receiving the delegation, the Permanent Secretary of the LSPHCB, Dr. Ibrahim Akinwunmi Mustafa, expressed appreciation to the committee, led by Hon. Lawal Aina Musibau, for its continued support, particularly towards the construction and completion of the board’s new headquarters.
Mustafa said the visit would help facilitate the board’s transition to the new facility, while providing an opportunity to discuss strategic priorities and operational challenges requiring legislative intervention.
He also highlighted plans to expand specialised healthcare services at the primary healthcare level, particularly through the integration of eye care services into the existing system.
According to him, the board, in collaboration with the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, had secured Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s approval to commence the recruitment of optometrists to strengthen eye care delivery across Lagos State.
He added that a dedicated budget line would be established to support the implementation and long-term sustainability of optometry services statewide.
In his remarks, Musibau commended the permanent secretary and the board’s management for their efforts to improve healthcare delivery, praising staff members for their dedication and commitment to service.
The committee chairman urged the board to maintain regular communication with the Assembly and formally present updates on its activities, proposed legislative measures and operational challenges to facilitate timely consideration and appropriate intervention.
He reiterated the legislature’s commitment to providing the necessary support to enable the board to fulfil its mandate of delivering accessible and quality primary healthcare to residents.
Also speaking, committee member Hon. Olawale A. S. Rauf acknowledged the operational challenges confronting the board and commended its personnel for maintaining service delivery despite the difficulties.
Rauf assured the management that the committee would provide feedback and engage relevant stakeholders to address identified challenges and strengthen cooperation among institutions responsible for healthcare delivery.
The visit ended with a vote of thanks by Dr. Olubunmi Oluokun, who represented the Director of Health Planning and Research, Dr. Temitope Balogun-Alo. She appreciated the lawmakers for their engagement, oversight and continued support for the board’s objectives.
Other members of the delegation included Hon. Abdulkarim Jubril Ayodeji and Hon. Ogunleye Gbolahan Adetokunbo, alongside senior management officials of the LSPHCB.
The engagement underscored the importance of legislative oversight, inter-agency collaboration and targeted investment in expanding primary healthcare services and advancing the Lagos State Government’s goal of providing comprehensive and sustainable healthcare for residents.
