Lagos State government has given 12,753 residents of Ojo, Oto-Awori and Iba local government and local council development areas as well as Badagry, Badagry-West, Olorunda local government and local council development areas from the first and second phase of the ongoing Lagos Health Mission programme; a medical intervention sponsored by the state to provide free healthcare services to residents across the 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs of the state.
Residents of the areas were screened and managed for non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, and common ailments, eye diseases and dental problems were managed. The programme also offered antenatal care services as well as family planning services to persons of reproductive age. HIV screening and counselling sessions were part of the health package.
Statistics obtained from the first phase of the health mission carried out between March 1 and 3, at the Ojo Town Hall for Ojo, Oto-Awori and Iba local government and local council development areas showed that 4119 people were attended to as general out-patients for common ailments, 358 others were also seen and attended to at the dental unit, 930 people were screened and treated at the eye unit and 458 others screened and counselled at the HIV unit.
Statistics from the second phase of the health mission carried out between March 7 and 9, at the Badagry, Badagry-West, Olorunda local government and local council development areas indicated that 4442 people were attended to as general out-patients for common ailments, 404 others were also seen and attended to at the dental unit, 1715 people were screened and treated at the eye unit and the rest were screened and counselled at the HIV unit.
Jide Idris, state commissioner for health, who spoke on the importance of the programme, noted that the state was continuously finding ways to improve the health status of its ever-increasing population, adding that the plan for achieving this was based on the Health Policy Thrust of the State, “which is guided by the noble goal that every Lagosian enjoys unfettered access to qualitative healthcare without any barrier whatsoever.”
Idris disclosed that the strategies adopted in implementing these policies include the introduction and provision of various programs that have direct impact on the Health outcome of Lagosians, stressing that these programs are geared towards promoting health, detecting diseases early and offering treatment and rehabilitation.
According to Idris, the overarching goal now is ensuring that residents have access to Universal Health Coverage adding that the Ministry of Health is working tirelessly to develop and implement strategies, programs, interventions and initiatives to improve the health outcome of all Lagosians.
“One of these interventions is the Lagos State Health 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”, he said.
While noting the Health Missions are short-term interventions, Idris stated that the programme is geared towards the Strategic Development Plan of ensuring Universal Health Coverage adding that the Missions provide services that take health care to the doorsteps of its citizens at no cost to the people.
“These health missions are significant because they enable this administration to provide healthcare services to all who come irrespective of their age, gender, socioeconomic status and affiliations”, he added.
The commissioner while stating that services offered under the programme are provided free of charge, and will include medication for presenting complaints, eye glasses and prompt referrals to the State Health Facilities, where necessary noted that the medical teams providing these services are competent professionals committed to ensuring that the mandate of the state government is fully realised.
Idris stated that the vision of sustainable healthcare and universal coverage demanded that the State adopted an approach that was not only efficient, but also effective in addressing the growing health demand of Lagos megacity.
Idris noted that the Medical Mission will be carried out across the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas for 3-days every week starting from 1st of March to the 8th of June, 2017.
While urging residents to take advantage of the free services offered by the medical mission, he added that the third phase of the mission for Oshodi LGA, Isolo and Ejigbo LCDAs will hold between Tuesday 14th and Thursday 16th March, 2017 at the Oshodi local government secretariat premises while the fourth phase for Amuwo-Odofin LGA and Oriade LCDA will hold between Tuesday 21st and Thursday 23rd March, 2017 at the Amuwo-Odofin local government secretariat premises.
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