The Lagos State House of Assembly has constituted a five-man committee to investigate inadequate primary healthcare facilities in the state.
The house made this known at the resumption of plenary after the 2023 General Elections in Lagos on Monday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the motion is titled: ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance’ on Issues Relating to Scarcity of Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in some areas of the state.”
The lawmakers in voice votes also complained of poor facilities and lack of adequate medical personnel in areas with the centres.
The Speaker, Mr Mudashiru Obasa (APC-Agege I), who presided over the plenary, named the Deputy Leader of the House, Mr Noheem Adams (APC-Eti-Osa I) as the chairman of the committee.
According to Obasa, other members include Mr Rotimi Abiru (APC-Shomolu II), Mr Hakeem Sokunle (APC-Oshodi-Isolo I), Mr Ajani Owolabi (APC-Lagos Mainland I) and Mr Jude Idimogu (APC-Oshodi-Isolo II) They are to report to the house in two weeks,” he said.
Raising the motion, Adams said the state had 327 functional healthcare centres.
Adams stressed that these were not enough for about 22 million people resident in Lagos state.
He said there was need for more personnel to be employed while more facilities should be constructed.
Also, Temitope Adewale (APC-Ifako-Ijaiye I) suggested the need to know who should be responsible for provision of primary healthcare system.
While noting that each ward should have a PHC, he lamented that Ifako-Ijaiye with seven wards and five centres had just two that were fully functional.
Contributing, Mr David Setonji (APC-Badagry II) described PHCs as the most critical since it was closest to the people, “but the number we have in Lagos is very low.”
On his part, Leader of the House, Mr Sanai Agunbiade (APC-Ikorodu I) urged the house to spend the remaining days of the current tenure on oversight relating to the issue.
On his part, Mr Desmond Elliot (APC-Surulere I) called for collaboration between the local and state governments in this regard.
Commenting, Mr Gbolahan Yishawu (APC-Eti-Osa II) however, expressed hope that more healthcare facilities would be built and equipped as the state already budgeted about ₦15 billion in 2023 for the purpose.
The speaker noted that every ward in the state deserved well-equipped PHC for effective medical attention of residents.
“I want to agree with those who suggest that each ward should have a PHC since health facilities should be very close to the people.
“We have some wards that are very big and must be taken into cognizance.
“To make sure we do justice to this motion, it is proper we have a committee in place. We must also ensure budgetary provision at the local government level,” he said.
Obasa urged local government area chairmen to ensure they had centres in each ward, adding that it should not be about fanciful structures alone but the service. (NAN)
