PRIMARY HEALTHCARE BOARD TO COLLABORATE WITH LASHMA FOR HEALTHY LAGOS
The Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCB) has said it will collaborate with the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) to ensure a healthy Lagos.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCB), Dr. Ibrahim Mustafa, in his keynote address delivered at the LASHMA Customer Appreciation Week organised for the Health sector at LCCI, Olowopopo, Ikeja, said with over 300 Primary Health Care Centres spread across the State at the grassroots level, there is no doubt that both agencies are well-positioned to ensure that no one is left behind in having access to quality and affordable healthcare.
The Permanent Secretary, represented by the Assistant Director, Medical Services, Dr. Adebimpe Sangoleye, restated that Article 25 of the Universal Declaration on human rights recognises that “everyone has the right to a standard of living, adequate for the health and wellbeing of himself and his family”.
He noted that the Primary Health Care Board provides a system of disease prevention, treatment and control with access to essential medicines for the people, adding that the establishment of the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), has also given the financing and payment models for primary health services.
Dr. Mustafa commended LASHMA for serving as a linkage in ensuring that the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board also delivers its mandate to provide Universal Health Coverage of quality, effective and efficient primary healthcare to the people of the State.
The Permanent Secretary, Health Service Commission (HSC). Dr. Ademuyiwa Eniayewun, represented by the Deputy Assistant Director, Medical Services, Dr. Yinka Otepola, said that health services in advanced countries are sustained by insurance, where premiums are pooled to cater for the health needs of the patients.
He called on residents of Lagos to join hands to ensure that ILERA EKO health plan is successful and sustained, adding that this is the only way to foster universal health coverage and enhance the citizens’ health financing.
He appealed to public servants in the health sector not to leave the advocacy on ILERA EKO to the Lagos State Health Management Agency alone, rather they should support the Agency to ensure that everyone in all the nooks and crannies of the State is enrolled on the health plan.
The Permanent Secretary commended LASHMA for a good job, especially for appreciating the customers, stressing that it would further boost the morale of the customers, improve their enrolment and the sustainability of the health insurance.
Earlier, the representative of the Board, LASHMA, Comrade Julius Awojide, commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his dedication and commitment towards the wellbeing of the residents.
He said that the Lagos State Government wants all residents, irrespective of their socio-economic status, to have access to quality, equitable and affordable healthcare services without being impoverished.
Comrade Awojide said that the customer appreciation week was organised to appreciate public servants, who are the primary constituents of ILERA EKO, for their commitment last year, urging the health family to continue the exemplary work being done on ILERA EKO as customers and providers.
The Board representative said that ILERA EKO has provided a platform for everyone to prioritise their health and called on the residents not to hesitate to enrol on the scheme.
