Full Text of The Speech by Lagos State Com. for Health On the 2017 Lagos State Medical Mission

Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Lagos State Government has over the years demonstrated its commitment towards developing sustainable and effective healthcare delivery to all its citizens.

Lagos State is one of the smallest states in Nigeria but it has one of the fastest growing populations in Nigeria. The challenge for the Lagos State Government has been to continuously find ways to improve the health status of its ever-increasing population. The plan for achieving this was based on the Health Policy Thrust of the State which include: Free Community Based Primary Health Care, Provision of comprehensive secondary healthcare delivery system and upgrading equipping of all health institutions in the State.

The strategies adopted in implementing these policies have included the introduction and provision of various programs that have direct impact on the Health outcome of Lagosians. These programs are geared towards promoting health, detecting diseases early and offer treatment and rehabilitation.

The overarching goal now is ensuring that its residents have access to Universal Health Coverage, to which, the Ministry of Health is working tirelessly to develop strategies, programs, interventions and initiatives that improve the health outcome of all Lagosians.

One of these interventions is the Lagos State Medical Mission, which the State Government has used over the years to complement health service delivery in the state. This was put in place, as part of the State Government’s quest to find ways to take healthcare to the grassroots and underserved areas of Lagos State, by addressing pressing health issues of the rural communities in the state.

These Missions provide primary care services that take health care to the doorsteps of its citizens at no cost to the people.

Although Medical Missions are short-term interventions, it is geared towards the Strategic Development Plan of ensuring Universal Health Coverage.

These medical missions are significant because it will enable this administration to provide healthcare services to all who come irrespective of their age, gender, socioeconomic status and affiliations.

The scope of services that will be provided include:

• Screening Services for non-communicable diseases especially hypertension and diabetes
• Treatment of common ailments
• HIV counselling and testing
• Antenatal Care Services
• Family planning services
• Screening and treatment of common Eye diseases, as well as refractions and provision of glasses
• Dental care services
• Health Education (Health Talks)

The Medical teams providing these services are competent and professional and are committed to ensuring that the Mandate of the State Government are fully realized.

Please bear in mind that these services are provided free of charge, and will include medication for presenting complaints and prompt referrals to the State Health Facilities, where necessary.

The Lagos State Government will be carrying out the Lagos State Medical Mission across the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas for 3-days every week, beginning on the 1st of March to the 8th of June, 2017.

The first phase will commence on Wednesday, March 1st and will hold at the Ojo Town Hall for residents in Ojo Local Government Area, Oto-Awori and Iba Local Council Development Areas.

The vision of sustainable Healthcare and Universal Coverage demands that the State adopts an approach that is not only efficient, but also effective in addressing the growing health demand of the Lagos Megacity.

With a teeming population of over 22 Million residents, the healthcare demands of this urban population are growing at an exponential rate, and as the cost of care with out-of-pocket payments are also increasing, the economic burden on our citizens are becoming more unbearable by the day. This cannot be allowed to continue.

Furthermore, with the current economic downturn, the Free Health Policy of the State has become inefficient in addressing these issues.

Lagos State Residents will require a safety net to be in place to improve the health outcome of all residents, especially the most vulnerable in the society, as well as, significantly reduce Out-of-Pocket Payment that persists in Nigeria.

Hence, it has become imperative that that we provide adequate financial protection for our citizens through the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme. This Health Insurance Scheme will take off this this year and will be made mandatory for all residents of the State.

As always, the Lagos State Government is working tirelessly to ensure that all citizens have healthcare coverage and this is one of the current strategies designed to address this.

Thank you.

Dr. Jide Idris

Honourable Commissioner (Health)

February 27, 2017