By Chidimma Oparaochaekwe
The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to strengthening primary healthcare delivery, describing Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) as the backbone of a resilient health system.
The Permanent Secretary, Health District III, Dr. Monsurat Adeleke, stated this last Thursday at the commissioning of the Adesalu Primary Healthcare Centre, Onosa, Ibeju-Lekki.
Adeleke said the commissioning marked a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to build a more inclusive and accessible healthcare system, particularly at the grassroots.
According to her, the facility would help ensure safer deliveries for mothers, healthy starts for children and reliable basic healthcare for households within the community.
She disclosed that the newly commissioned centre would operate for eight hours daily and provide essential services including antenatal care, child immunisation, family planning, nutrition counselling and treatment of common ailments.
She, however, explained that patients requiring critical or specialised care would be linked through structured referral arrangements to health facilities providing 24-hour services.
Adeleke urged the healthcare workers at the centre to uphold professional standards and ensure that patients receive quality and dignified care.
“I want to call on healthcare workers at this facility to maintain strict standards of clinical care, confidentiality and patient dignity.
“I also urge community leaders, traditional rulers and residents to take full ownership of the health centre by utilising its services and safeguarding its facilities,” she said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, Engr. Sesan Olowa, said the facility was handed over by the state government about a year ago, after which the council provided the necessary modern equipment to make it fully functional.
Olowa described the centre as a testament to what could be achieved when grassroots leadership and commitment were matched with the needs and aspirations of the community.
He said the facility was now fully operational and equipped with modern health infrastructure designed to improve patient care and comfort.
According to him, the centre has fully deployed hospital beds, specialised delivery couches and advanced clinical examination tables.
Olowa said the infrastructure was provided to ensure that residents, particularly women and children, could access essential healthcare services closer to home.
The commissioning is expected to further strengthen access to primary healthcare services in Onosa and surrounding communities in Ibeju-Lekki, while complementing existing referral pathways for patients requiring higher levels of care.
