Sanwo-Olu to provide 10 new PHCs for riverine areas

The Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate, Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu, has said that he will provide 10 new Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) for riverine and other underserved areas.

He stated this in an interview with newsmen in Lagos. According to Sanwoolu, the riverine areas of the state are the most neglected areas and he intends to reverse this trend by providing such with necessary health facilities, among others.

“Aside this, I will also ensure that all 37 non-functional primary health care centres in the state are refurbished and adequately equipped, as well as provide a minimum of three doctors, three nurses and five community health workers for each of all 345 primary health care centres (PHCs) by 2021,” he said.

According to Sanwoolu, who spoke along with his deputy, Dr Femi Hamzat, his administration will improve life expectancy by focusing on a comprehensive preventive health care system through optimal primary health care system funded by a mass community-based health insurance programmes.

“The programmes will make healthcare more accessible and affordable right at the door step of every resident,” said Sanwoolu.

He said his administration will further expand the Lagos Health Insurance Scheme with a target of 500,000 households (2.5 million enrolment) by the end of 2019; increase health spending from 6% to 15% of budget in line with the Abuja Declaration; strengthen the primary health care referral system to ease the burden on secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities; provide adequate funding to ensure that healthcare workers at all levels receive required training, among others.

In the water sector, Sanwoolu intends to rehabilitate, within six months, the major, mini and micro water works at Iju, Adiyan 1, Ishashi, Ota Ikosa and all the existing 48 mini and micro water works in the state, thereby encouraging water efficiency.