Lagos Begins Medical Mission to All Local Governments

Martins Ifijeh
In a bid to meet the growing health demands of a MegaCity, the Lagos State Government has kickstarted plans towards improving healthcare service delivery with the launching of the Eko Health Mission.

The Eko Health Mission is a strategy designed by the Lagos State Ministry for Health to ensure that all citizens have healthcare coverage irrespective of the teeming population of residents.

Speaking at a briefing in Alausa-Ikeja, the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris disclosed to journalists that the plan was achieved with the Health Policy Thrust of the State.

‘The challenge for the Lagos State Government has been to continually find ways in improving the status of its ever-increasing population. The plan for achieving this was based on the Health Policy Thrust which include: free Community Based Primary HealthCare, Provision of comprehensive secondary healthcare delivery system and upgrading equipments of all health institutions in the State’, he said.

Dr. Idris said the medical mission will be carried out across all Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas in the state.

“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”.

Dr. Jide Idris added, “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”.

He said the service provided will be free of charge stating that the health mission personnels will be professionals who are competent and committed to ensuring that that Mandate of the State Government is fully achieved.

The Commissioner further highlighted the scope of service that will be provided by the medical mission.

He said “screening services for non-communicable diseases especially hypertension and diabetes, treatment of common ailments, HIV counselling and testing, antenatal care services, family planning service, screening and treatment of common eye diseases, as well as refractions and provision of glasses, dental care services and health education”.

Dr. Jide Idris, however noted that residents will require a safety net which is imperative that the state provide adequate financial protection through the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme which is taking off this year so as to enjoy the service to be delivered.