Commissioner Canvasses Sustained Investment in Primary Healthcare Infrastructure

Funmi Ogundare

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, yesterday, called for sustained investment in primary healthcare infrastructure and modernisation, describing Primary Health Care (PHC) as a critical determinant for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Abayomi made the call at the IMPACT project review meeting convened by the Lagos State Government in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to review implementation progress and strengthen PHC systems across participating states in Nigeria.

Speaking on the theme, ‘Strengthening PHC: A Critical Determinant for Achieving UHC’, the commissioner explained that Lagos State has introduced purpose-built PHC facilities equipped with improved ventilation systems, solar-powered infrastructure, infection prevention and control measures, as well as decentralised isolation capabilities.

He also emphasised the need for sustainable healthcare financing through the domestication of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act, mandatory health insurance initiatives and stronger integration between public and private healthcare systems.

The high-level meeting attracted representatives from the NPHCDA, World Bank, National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), State Ministries of Health, state primary health care boards, project managers and accountants.

In her remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to health sector reforms and universal health coverage.

She stated, “the IMPACT project has significantly contributed to PHC infrastructure upgrades, improved malaria diagnostics, service integration, accountability and systems strengthening across Lagos state.”

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Ibrahim Akinwunmi Mustafa, noted the state adopted a deliberate political and governance engagement strategy involving local government chairmen, the ministry of local government, development partners and technical experts to improve ownership and financing for PHC.

According to him, “the engagement process resulted in improved political commitment to PHC financing, enhanced collaboration between state and local governments and the signing of a draft compact aimed at strengthening PHC governance and sustainability.”

The Team Lead for NPHCDA, Dr. Onoriode Ezire said the meeting was aimed at reviewing PHC upgrade projects across states, assessing outstanding obligations and timelines, strengthening accountability mechanisms and promoting collaboration between state and local governments for improved healthcare delivery.

During the meeting, participating states presented updates on implementation progress, contractual obligations, outstanding payments and project completion timelines under the immunisation and malaria components of the IMPACT project.

At the end of the deliberations, states were directed to update implementation trackers, improve accountability and financial reporting mechanisms, strengthen collaboration with local governments and intensify supportive supervision activities to ensure sustainability of PHC interventions nationwide.

The programme also featured presentations on findings from a large-scale malaria diagnostic and surveillance study, which revealed significantly lower malaria prevalence than previously assumed underscoring the importance of evidence-based diagnosis through Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs).