A fresh push to tackle vaccine inequity and improve primary healthcare in Lagos has exposed critical gaps in one of the state’s largest local government areas: 11 wards in Alimosho Local Government Area lack Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), as stakeholders intensify efforts to reach thousands of zero-dose and under-immunised children.
The concern came to the fore during an advocacy visit by the Lagos State Accountability Mechanism (LASAM) Advocacy Subcommittee, in partnership with GSK and Save the Children International, to the Oba of Shasha Kingdom, Alaiyeluwa Oba Babatunde Akanbi Nasiru Lawal Ogunronbi (Ariwajoye/Akinlowo I).
The visit centred on domestic resource mobilisation, sustained and equitable vaccine access, and building stronger community support to ensure that no child is denied life-saving vaccines due to poor access, inadequate funding, or misinformation.
The delegation also sought the monarch’s support for an ongoing consultation on a proposed vaccination law aimed at boosting routine immunisation coverage across Lagos.
Speaking, the Chairperson of the LASAM Advocacy Subcommittee, Mrs Rasheedat Olusola Hassan, said the accountability mechanism had spent over a decade monitoring primary healthcare services to ensure government investments translated into better health outcomes for mothers and children.
According to her, LASAM’s work is driven by verified government data rather than assumptions.
“We have been working for over 10 years to ensure that children do not die from preventable diseases, pregnant women deliver safely, and that funds allocated to primary healthcare are properly utilised,” she said.
She explained that LASAM’s Evidence Subcommittee compiles government health data and develops scorecards that track the performance of local government areas on immunisation and other health indicators, while the Advocacy Subcommittee uses the findings to engage traditional rulers, religious leaders and other community stakeholders.
Hassan disclosed that the advocacy team had earlier met with Alimosho Local Government Chairman, Mr Akinpelu Ibrahim Johnson, where they highlighted the absence of PHCs in 11 wards and the urgent need for outreach services pending the construction of permanent facilities.
“The chairman assured us that outreach services would continue in wards without PHCs while efforts are made to provide permanent facilities,” she said.
She also raised concerns over poor welfare for community volunteers who support immunisation campaigns.
According to her, many volunteers receive as little as ₦3,000 despite travelling across communities to mobilise parents and monitor vaccination exercises.
“These volunteers need to be properly compensated. Without adequate incentives, they become discouraged, and this could affect vaccine delivery and accountability,” she said.
She added that LASAM also advocated improved vaccine storage systems, stronger support for Ward Health Committees, and broader community participation in health governance.
On the proposed vaccination law, Hassan said government was seeking input from traditional rulers and other stakeholders before any legal framework is introduced.
“We are not here to impose a law. Government wants to hear from traditional rulers and communities on how such a law should work so that it reflects the realities of the people,” she explained.
She also appealed to the monarch to help mobilise philanthropists and influential individuals within Alimosho to support healthcare delivery.
“Government cannot do everything alone. We believe communities also have a role in sustaining primary healthcare.”
Also, speaking, LASAM representative Rev. Bola Nuga urged traditional rulers to become stronger advocates for maternal and child health by demanding regular accountability from local government authorities.
“Your Majesty should consistently engage the local government chairman and Medical Officer of Health to know what is available in every PHC and what is lacking,” he said.
Nuga painted a grim picture of conditions in some health facilities visited by the advocacy team.
“In some primary healthcare centres, health workers conduct deliveries at night with torchlights and candles because there is no electricity or fuel for generators. That is unacceptable.”
He noted that Ward Health Committees and Local Government Health Authorities play critical roles in identifying deficiencies ranging from broken infrastructure to shortages of water, electricity and medical equipment.
“When communities monitor health facilities, service providers become more accountable,” he added.
The advocacy visit also highlighted vaccine hesitancy among some communities.
LASAM’s Public Relations Officer and Chairman of the School Management Committee in Alimosho, Mrs Yemisi Oroja, said outreach teams had identified clusters of zero-dose children, particularly in settlements where vaccine acceptance remains low.
“We discovered that there are still many children who have never received vaccines. We need stronger community engagement to address this challenge,” she said.
She appealed for wider collaboration with community leaders and security agencies to improve access to underserved populations.
Responding, the Oba of Shasha Kingdom pledged to champion the campaign and promised to engage local government authorities on identified gaps.
“Health is wealth. If people are not healthy, nothing else matters,” the monarch declared.
The royal father commended LASAM’s community monitoring model, describing it as an important mechanism for improving accountability in the health system.
“Without proper monitoring, many programmes will not achieve their objectives. What you are doing is helping to keep health centres on their toes,” he said.
The monarch stressed the need for sustained public awareness, saying traditional institutions and the media must work together to change attitudes towards immunisation.
“Not everyone reads newspapers or listens to the radio, but through community leaders and continuous sensitisation we can reach more people,” he said.
Drawing from personal experience, the monarch recalled taking a family member away from a poorly equipped health centre to a private hospital after waiting for hours without receiving adequate care.
“If our health centres are properly equipped, nobody would want to leave them for private hospitals,” he lamented.
He also promised to engage the Alimosho council chairman over the completion of an abandoned health centre, rehabilitation of the access road, and improved healthcare infrastructure.
“These children are our future. If we fail to take care of them today, what kind of future are we building?” he asked.
The monarch further backed calls for better incentives for community volunteers.
“People cannot continue working with their own resources without encouragement. Government should support and appreciate them because they are helping to strengthen our health system,” he said.
Stakeholders at the meeting agreed that stronger domestic financing, active community participation, traditional leadership and improved primary healthcare infrastructure remain critical to eliminating zero-dose children and achieving equitable vaccine access across Lagos.
