Lagos gets WHO support to enhance quality of healthcare for Lagosians
Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative, has reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to assisting the Lagos State Government in enhancing health metrics and the quality of healthcare for its residents.
This declaration was made during a courtesy visit to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State.
In his remarks, Dr. Mulombo recalled that during a prior meeting at Chatham House in London, Governor Sanwo-Olu had articulated his commitment to advancing health metrics and care quality in Lagos State.
While recognizing the notable progress made by Lagos State in the healthcare domain, Dr. Mulombo expressed WHO’s readiness to collaborate with the Lagos state government to effectively implement strategies for a healthier populace.
He stated, “With Mr. Sanwo-Olu’s leadership, WHO is prepared to partner with the Lagos State government to enhance human resources for health. By developing a skilled and responsive health workforce, Nigeria can achieve better health outcomes and fortify the overall health system in Lagos.” It is important to highlight that Lagos State is at the forefront of the Health Insurance initiative, surpassing the goal of one million enrollees per state, and contributes over 10% to the national GDP. Additionally, the state has been successful in attracting medical professionals from abroad, reflecting the medical tourism trend seen in India.
It is noteworthy that Lagos was the first state to report the COVID-19 and Ebola outbreaks in the country in 2020 and 2014, respectively, and managed these crises effectively within a short timeframe.
In praising the state government’s reforms in primary healthcare, Dr. Mulombo also informed the Governor that WHO will be piloting a global framework aimed at enhancing health emergency preparedness in urban areas within Lagos State.
In addressing the ongoing cholera outbreak in the state, the World Health Organization (WHO) representative emphasized that the current cholera crisis requires an intensified response to avert further transmission and loss of life.
He also highlighted the importance of a comprehensive strategy that combines health initiatives with environmental sustainability. “The well-being of the population is fundamentally connected to the environment. We must implement strategies that tackle both health and ecological issues to achieve sustainable development.”
Collaboration for Improved Public Health
In his statement, the Governor of Lagos State expressed strong support for the WHO framework and its application within Lagos. He conveyed appreciation for the assistance provided by the WHO under the representative’s guidance. The Governor affirmed his commitment to bolstering emergency preparedness, enhancing infrastructure, and promoting cooperation among various stakeholders to cultivate a resilient city.
He pledged to upgrade the WHO office in Lagos to a mini country office and encouraged the representative to spend more time there. “We are thankful for WHO’s partnership and support in our battle against cholera and other health challenges. Our administration is devoted to fostering a healthier Lagos by investing in health infrastructure, advocating for environmental sanitation, and ensuring access to clean water.
We acknowledge the essential role of partnerships in achieving our health goals. The support from WHO is crucial, and we anticipate ongoing collaboration to improve the health and well-being of our citizens,” he stated.
Mr. Sanwo-Olu noted that Lagos, as the commercial hub of the nation, has demonstrated remarkable resilience and offers an environment conducive to investment that meets the needs of its populace.
He articulated that the surge of individuals entering the state poses challenges related to surveillance and data management, complicating the scientific response to the issue. Nevertheless, he recognized that the state has several areas for enhancement, such as increasing the budget for health services, significantly improving the provision and accessibility of clean water within the next year, establishing public sanitation facilities to mitigate open defecation, and enhancing the skills and readiness of health professionals to effectively address all types of health emergencies.
During the presentation to the delegates regarding the state’s health and environmental initiatives, Mr. Sanwo-Olu emphasized the intention to incorporate health and environmental considerations into the broader development framework of the state.
He stated that the objective is to establish a sustainable and resilient healthcare system that prioritizes the health and welfare of the populace. “We will persist in our investments in health infrastructure, advocate for environmental health, and ensure that our policies are in accordance with international health standards,” the Governor remarked.
The visit underscored the collaborative efforts between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Lagos State Government in tackling public health issues. It also provided an opportunity to present the CCSIV Country Cooperative Strategy for 2023 – 2027 to Mr. Sanwo-Olu.
The collaboration between WHO and Lagos State marks a pivotal advancement in enhancing health emergency preparedness within urban environments.
These initiatives encompass the development of health worker capabilities, the improvement of disease surveillance frameworks, and the execution of community-oriented health programs.
On the sidelines of the visit, the WHO Representative also engaged with the WHO Lagos State team, commending their contributions to supporting the government in achieving its Sector-Wide Approach (sWAp) objective of realizing Universal Health Coverage for all Nigerians.
