LAGOS/Nigeria: The Lagos State Government is seeking alternative ways to strengthen primary healthcare delivery through community partnerships, technology and better utilisation of existing resources, as concerns over inadequate funding continue to challenge healthcare facilities.
The initiative was highlighted at the 2026 Strategic Management Retreat of the Lagos State Health District One (LSHD1), where the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, called for greater involvement of community stakeholders in decisions affecting Primary Health Centres (PHCs).
The three-day retreat, which began on Thursday in Lagos, was organised under the theme, “From Constraints to Creativity: Harnessing Untapped Resources at Primary Health Centres”.
Ogunyemi said improving healthcare at the grassroots required more than government funding, stressing that traditional rulers, religious organisations, market women and other community groups could contribute significantly to the effective management and delivery of primary healthcare services.
She explained that closer engagement with residents would help healthcare administrators understand local needs, identify operational difficulties and develop practical solutions in collaboration with the communities they serve.
According to her, community participation would also provide an avenue for healthcare providers to communicate their challenges and encourage residents to support efforts aimed at improving service delivery.
The governor’s aide described primary healthcare centres as the foundation of the health system, noting that their effectiveness depended not only on infrastructure and medical equipment but also on the commitment of healthcare personnel and the support of the communities.
She emphasised that every category of worker, from doctors and other medical professionals to drivers and security personnel, played an important role in patients’ experiences and the overall functioning of healthcare facilities.
Ogunyemi commended the Permanent Secretary of LSHD1, Dr Sola Pitan, and his team for organising the retreat, describing the theme as timely, particularly as healthcare administrators seek more sustainable approaches to service delivery.
She also acknowledged the contributions of the six health districts in Lagos State, calling for sustained innovation, collaboration and strategic planning to improve healthcare outcomes.
Earlier, Pitan explained that the retreat was designed to enable healthcare professionals to examine existing resources, identify opportunities and develop strategies for overcoming challenges confronting primary healthcare facilities.
He observed that reliance on conventional funding sources, including government allocations and assistance from local and international development organisations, was no longer sufficient to meet the growing demands of primary healthcare.
He attributed part of the funding pressure to changing global circumstances, which have affected donor support, making it necessary for healthcare administrators to identify alternative sources of assistance.
Pitan identified traditional institutions, faith-based organisations, corporate bodies and other community stakeholders as potential partners in mobilising resources and supporting the operations of PHCs.
He further disclosed that the district was considering greater adoption of technology, including telemedicine and electronic medical systems, to improve healthcare access, administrative efficiency and service delivery despite resource constraints.
The retreat, he said, would also provide healthcare personnel with an opportunity to contribute ideas towards developing a strategic roadmap for the district’s 2027 objectives.
Emphasising the importance of collective participation, Pitan said the management wanted personnel across different departments to contribute their experience and professional insights to the planning process.
On maternal and neonatal healthcare, the Permanent Secretary said the district was strengthening collaboration between primary and secondary healthcare facilities to improve patient outcomes.
He disclosed that LSHD1 had adopted the Target Zero initiative, which seeks to eliminate maternal and neonatal deaths through improved coordination, professional training and better patient management.
According to him, the district had organised capacity-building programmes involving healthcare professionals from primary and secondary facilities to strengthen cooperation and improve the quality of care.
He added that additional communication channels were being planned to facilitate referrals, patient follow-up and coordination between healthcare facilities.
Pitan also encouraged residents to enrol in the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme, known as Ilera Eko, explaining that wider participation would help reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenses and improve access to medical services.
As part of the retreat, outstanding personnel from various departments of primary healthcare centres under the district received cash incentives in recognition of their contributions to service delivery.
The discussions at the retreat place renewed attention on the need to build a more sustainable primary healthcare system through stronger community ownership, improved workforce support, technology adoption and partnerships beyond government funding.
