Advocating For The Optimization Of PHC Through RMNCAH-N

LISDEL-SPAG Project and other partners in the health sector in Lagos State, conducted an advocacy visit to the Office of the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, at the State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja on Wednesday, 15th February 2023 at 3.00pm. The visit was a call to optimizing the State’s Primary Healthcare through the delivery of RMNCAH+N services and programs in the State.

Mrs. Juliana Abude-Aribo, Executive Director LISDEL-SPAG Project, led the team of advocates. She began by welcoming invited guests and gave a background of what informed the meeting which was to highlight health indices gathered from the last National Demographic Health Survey that stated that women and children are primarily the cause for concern in relation to health service delivery and supply. This and other challenges will reduce the pace towards achieving Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria, adding that not attaining RMNCAH-N outcomes which form the basis of most UHC and Primary Healthcare policies will have poor implication on the health of women and children.

She indicated that LISDEL’s collaboration with the Lagos State Government and other stakeholders in the implementation of advocacy priorities will catalyze actions to address challenges with Maternal and Child Health as well as optimize Primary Healthcare delivery in the State amongst other outcomes.

Amongst attendees were Professor Akin Abayomi, Hon. Commissioner for Health Lagos State; Mrs Juliana Aribo, Executive Director LISDEL; Dr. Ibijoke Ajumob RMNCAH+N champion; Dr. Omobolanle Johnson, RMNCAH+N champion; Dr. Lola Mojoyinola, RMNCAH+N champion; Mr Omotayo A. Ahmed, Secretary Health Committee (LSHA) and Miss Tonode Oluwapelumi, Asst. Secretary Health Committee (LSHA).

Dr Ibijoke Ajumobi presented the primary objectives of the advocacy calling on the need to promote demand and increase access to sexual reproductive health services for girls and women; reduce maternal mortality and morbidity through the provision of timely, safe, appropriate and effective healthcare services before, during and after childbirth for women; reduce neonatal and childhood mortality by promoting optimal growth, protection and development of all new born and children under 5yrs of age; improve access to health information and services for all women, adolescents and youths and improve birth and death registration. 

Dr Omobolanle Johnson during her welcome address informed all that RMNCAH-N mission is successful, being led by the First Lady of Lagos State Dr. (Mrs) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who is equally the Lead Champion for RMNCAH-N in the State. She presented advocacy prayers before the Hon. Commissioner, asking for the establishment of a budget line for SEMCHIC under the Primary Healthcare Board; release of budget funds for FP and RMNCAH-N activities and programs in the state; a complete disbursement of the RMNCAH-N 2022 budget appropriation; the activation of the BHCPF; inclusion in the budget for retraining of Healthcare workers on interpersonal communication skill in ANC and delivery services in their 2024 AOP by the Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board to, and  the allocation of funding for quarterly community engagement on ANC attendance and facility delivery in their 2024 AOP by the Primary Healthcare Board.

Dr. Lola Mojoyinola spoke on incidents observed at the Ajeromi General Hospital, where many young girls were raped and some young pregnant mothers were infected with HIV through rape by opposite sex in the Ajeromi Ifelodun Community. She called on the Lagos State Government to direct Ministry of Health to take critical steps to curb and avert future occurrences of such cases.

Professor Akin Abayomi the Hon. Commissioner for Health, thanked the health sector stakeholders and assured them that the Ministry would take a second look at the request and ensure that all righteousness is thoroughly fulfilled vis a vis the request of members of RMNCAH-N.

Mr. Omotayo A. Ahmed who spoke on behalf of the Health Committee said that requests presented will be conveyed to the Chairman of the Health Committee for further necessary legislative action during the year 2024 budget exercise.

By Deborah Olarewaju | LISDEL

Juliana Abude-Aribo | Editor | LISDEL