LSHA COMMITTEE PAYS WORKING VISIT TO MINISTRY OF HEALTH 

… Restates Commitment to the Attainment of UHC

In a significant move aimed at strengthening the delivery of qualitative and efficient health services to residents of Lagos State, the newly constituted Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Health Services and Primary Health Care has expressed its commitment to work with the Lagos State Ministry of Health towards improving access to affordable healthcare services and attainment of universal health coverage.

Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Lawal Aina Musbau who led other members and the secretariat of the committee on a working visit to the Ministry of Health on Tuesday, assured the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi and top management staff of the Ministry, of the Committee’s cooperation, collaboration and support towards implementing laudable health policies, programmes and projects of the State Government that will improve the wellbeing of citizens. 

Speaking during an interactive session between members of the committee and leadership of the Ministry of Health held at the Conference Room of the Ministry, Hon. Musibau stated that the Lagos State House of Assembly recognises the prime place of universal health coverage in improving access to healthcare services, thus prompting the need for stakeholders’ collaboration to achieve the all-important goal.

Explaining the purpose of the visit, the lawmaker stated that the familiarisation visit and interactive meeting with the leadership of the Ministry of Health was aimed at establishing a harmonious working relationship between the committee, the Ministry and other health agencies, adding that the meeting would afford members of the committee a firsthand knowledge of the challenges in the State health sector.

Hon. Musibau explained further that the Committee will also be visiting all health agencies and parastatals under the Ministry of Health, noting that the visit of the committee is part of the oversight function of the legislative arm of government, reiterating that the administration of the 10th Assembly will work hand in hand with the members of the health sector to ensure a smooth and effective health care service delivery.

Earlier, Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, who welcomed the members of the Committee to the Ministry, explained that the Ministry of Health is the nerve centre of the State health sector where all health-related activities in the state are coordinated, adding that the health family is an extremely large one with about 400 public health facilities, about 20,000 employees across all agencies and health Care facilities.

While briefing the committee on the activities of the Ministry, the Commissioner stated that one of the main functions of the Ministry of Health is to see how the state can achieve Universal Health Coverage where every citizen can gain access to a basic minimum package of healthcare delivery.

He, however, assured that the Health family will always work hand in hand with the House Committee on Health to achieve set goals of the Health and Environment mandate of the THEMES Plus agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.

The other members of the newly constituted house committee include Hon. Ogunleye Gbolahan, Hon. Olumoh Lukmon, Hon. Akinsanya Ayinde Nureni, Hon. Lawal-Olumegbon Omolara, Hon. Oluwa Subur and the Secretary to the committee, Mr. Omotayo Ahmed.

Also on hand to receive the Chairman and Members of the House Committee on Health were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, who was represented by the Director, Medical Administration, Training and Programmes, Dr. Funmilayo Shokunbi as well as Directors and Heads of Unit in the Ministry of Health.