Stakeholders Challenge Local Councils to Strengthen PHCs for Universal Coverage

Ayodeji Ake 

The Lagos State Government, alongside key health sector stakeholders, has challenged chairmen of the state’s 57 local governments and local council development areas (LCDAs) to take decisive steps toward rebuilding and strengthening primary healthcare centres (PHCs) across their communities. 

The call was made to ensure that quality healthcare reaches grassroots and hard-to-reach populations and to accelerate progress toward universal health coverage.

The charge was delivered at a one-day leadership dialogue themed “Strengthening PHC Systems: A Joint Leadership Dialogue,” held in Ikeja recently.

 The forum focused on practical ways to make PHCs more effective, functional, and responsive to the healthcare needs of residents. Discussions highlighted how sustained commitment, proper governance, and increased investment by local government leaders could transform PHCs into reliable pillars of community health.

Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, revealed that despite Lagos having 376 PHCs, 111 wards still lack any health centre. 

He stressed that primary healthcare represents a lasting legacy of political leadership and warned that infrastructure without impact does not improve health outcomes. According to him, Lagos needs about 2,400 PHCs to meet the World Health Organisation benchmark of one PHC per 10,000 residents, noting that nearly half of existing facilities require major upgrades.

Abayomi also disclosed that 225 PHCs are currently benefiting from the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), established under the National Health Act 2014 to support essential health services. 

He cited recent federal disbursements aimed at strengthening PHCs nationwide and urged proper utilisation of the funds.

 However, he identified human resources as a major challenge, pointing out that Lagos needs about 33,000 doctors but has only around 7,000. 

To address this gap, he announced plans to establish a standalone University of Medicine and Health Sciences in the state.

Stakeholders emphasised that functional PHCs go beyond physical buildings.

 Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Mr Musibau Lawal, noted that many centres still lack basic amenities, equipment, adequate staffing, water, power supply, and security. 

Similarly, Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Mr Bolaji Robert, stressed that local governments are best positioned to understand community needs, mobilise resources, and ensure accountability.

Other speakers, including the Special Adviser on Health to the Governor, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, and officials of the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, urged council chairmen to demonstrate political will, meet funding obligations, and strengthen collaboration to revitalise PHCs. 

They agreed that effective primary healthcare is not only a health priority but also a measure of good governance and development leadership.

The dialogue concluded with assurances from Conference 57 representatives that efforts would be intensified to improve funding, infrastructure, and governance, ensuring that PHCs regain public trust and deliver quality healthcare to Lagos residents.