EngenderHealth, Gates Foundation Pact To Strengthen Primary Healthcare In Lagos

Lagos Pushes Health Equity with Strategic PHC Advocacy — According to iReporter Online

In a bid to strengthen the delivery of primary healthcare (PHC) in Lagos State, a strategic advocacy workshop titled “Advancing Health Equity Through Strategic Advocacy” has been convened by a consortium led by EngenderHealth, with support from the Gates Foundation.

According to iReporter Online, the event marks a significant step toward prioritising Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH), nutrition, and PHC reform across the state.

Themed “Empowering States to Prioritise RMNCAH and Nutrition Intervention and PHC Agendas,” the workshop brought together key actors from the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, programme managers, and health policy officials, all committed to tackling systemic health gaps. With PHC systems under increasing pressure and underserved communities facing the brunt, the initiative aims to galvanise targeted, coordinated action.

Jumare Abdulaziz, Accountability Manager at EngenderHealth, stressed the need for urgency and accountability in the state’s healthcare approach. “Lagos cannot afford to treat primary healthcare as an afterthought. We’re demanding real, measurable progress—not symbolic promises,” he said.

According to iReporter Online, the strategy being developed focuses on three critical pillars: policy execution and funding, enhanced government engagement, and stronger accountability frameworks. These elements are designed to ensure that existing health policies are not only implemented but monitored for effectiveness—particularly at the grassroots level through structures like the Lagos Accountability Mechanism (LASAM) for RMNCAH.

Speaking at the workshop, Olakunle Daramola, a public health expert and Gates Foundation consultant, echoed the urgency for improved strategic advocacy to elevate RMNCAH and nutrition outcomes. He emphasized that government responsiveness and stakeholder alignment are essential for success.

“This programme is designed to keep Lagos State—and by extension, other regions—aware of the importance of targeted advocacy,” Daramola said. “If we don’t advocate properly, PHC may not deliver the outcomes we need. But with strategic messaging and stakeholder buy-in, we can strengthen the entire system.”

According to iReporter Online, Daramola highlighted key success factors including the creation of an enabling environment for implementation, timely release of allocated resources, and inclusive engagement with communities and civil society groups.

He further described the workshop as part of a broader initiative by EngenderHealth to push for sustainable, equity-driven health outcomes in Nigeria. “Effective advocacy is not just about raising awareness—it’s about ensuring action and accountability that transforms lives,” Daramola concluded.

With the momentum generated by this workshop, Lagos is positioning itself as a leader in health sector reform—one that other states may soon be encouraged to follow, according to iReporter Online.

”IREPORTER REPORTS”