Lagos State joins GHAI-LISDEL’S Prevent Epidemics (PE) Project focal states

The Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) in 2020 began partnering with the Legislative Initiative for Sustainable Development (LISDEL) to implement an intervention called the Prevent Epidemics (PE) Project at the federal level and in Kano State. Its main aim was to provide assistance to the Government of Nigeria towards sustainability of health security investments in Epidemic Preparedness and Response (EPR) in the country.

This first phase of the PE Project was implemented for nine months from July 2020 to March 2021. One of the important successes recorded was the creation of a budget line to the tune of Three Hundred Million Naira in Kano State, in collaboration with partners including the Health Sector Reform Coalition (HSRC), BudgIT, and Nigeria Health Watch.  

Building on the achievements, the PE Project has been extended for an additional 13 months and expanded to include Lagos State. This second phase  commenced in April, 2021 to sustain public investments for EPR by increasing federal and state allocation of resources for health security from its present status and facilitating releases of the allocated funds at all levels. It will additionally intensify advocacy efforts for the implementation of the National Action Plan on Health Security (NAPHS); its domestication and subsequent implementation in Kano and Lagos States.

State and non-State actors have been engaged as part of entry activities of the PE Project in Lagos State, including the Lagos State House of Assembly.  Honorable Shokunle, the Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Health expressed keen interest to lead advocacy efforts and coordinate Legislative and Policy actors to catalyze the intervention.

During the meeting, issues bordering on the relevance of, justification for specific budget lines for EPR, and dedicated contingency funding for emergency response were discussed. A legal framework for health security, development of a detailed Legislative Health Agenda that will provide key legislative actions, policy and institutional contexts were discussed. These will be required to provide oversight and stimulate strong accountability structures in the State in this regard.

A primary next step for the Project is to initiate conversations to secure commitment from key actors on prioritization of EPR.

Written by: Ademuyiwa Damilola

Edited by: Juliana Abude-Aribo

Legislative Initiative for Sustainable Development Goals (LISDEL)