LISDEL, others advocate to Lagos State House of Assembly to accelerate progress toward UHC

The Legislative Initiative for Sustainable Development (LISDEL), a foremost non-government organization in Nigeria working with the Nigerian Government at all levels to achieve key development goals in line with its objectives, partnered with the Lagos State Civil Society Partnership (LACSOP) to engage the Lagos State House of Assembly on the need for the State to catalyze its progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

This came about in a courtesy visit paid to Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday the 11^th of November, 2022 at the Lagos State House of Assembly Complex, Alausa, Ikeja Lagos State.

In her remarks during the advocacy visit, Mrs. Juliana Abude-Aribo, the Executive Director of LISDEL noted that the organization has played supportive roles to the legislature and other stakeholders at the national and States level where it has its presence, including Lagos State. She mentioned that LISDEL is well known for its work around Health Insurance and expanding health access to women, children and the most vulnerable.

She stated that LISDEL is also working in the State to strengthen the health security architecture and improve the capacity of the State to adequately prepare for and respond to disease outbreaks and other health threats before, and as they arise. She described how these have translated into key achievements, such as the appropriation and operationalization of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) amongst others.

She further noted that the BHCPF serves as a veritable source of sustainable financing to provide health care services and access to Nigerians, particularly the most vulnerable who cannot afford the health care services they need. The BHCPF can then boost commitments of the Lagos State Government to attaining UHC through its Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme – ILERA-Eko.

She insisted that, there must be an alignment in the benefit package being provided by both the BHCPF and that of ILERA-Eko. This, she stated will greatly enhance access to health care services and strengthen service delivery through the Primary Health Care Centers (PHCs). She indicated that, the provision of adequate funding to revitalize PHCs and where necessary construct new ones was necessary.

She reiterated the need and requested for the support of the House of Assembly to fully implement and fund the Reproductive Maternal Newborn Child and Adolescent Health Plus Nutrition (RMNCAH-N) strategic framework in Lagos State. This will provide more health for women and children, thereby improving health outcomes and indices in the State.

She highlighted that another strategic and most rewarding strategy to improve access to health care and deepen the representation function of the legislature, is for the honourable members to take on charitable donations to pay the premiums of members in their constituencies, as this will enable them access health insurance. She noted that LISDEL is poised to working with the House in achieving it.

The Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa was particularly pleased about the visit and appreciated LISDEL and other stakeholders in the State for supporting the legislature in their work.

He assured that the House is ready to work with LISDEL and other partners to accelerate progress towards UHC and will consider all the requests presented.

Contributed by ADEMUYIWA DAMILOLA | LISDEL