60,000 Lagos residents benefit from Eko free health mission

No fewer than 60,000 Lagos residents have benefitted from the Eko Health Mission organised by the state government on Tuesday.

The State Governor, Akinwumni Ambode, represented by his Deputy, Idiat Adebule, gave the figure at the commencement of the Eko Health Mission in Mushin Local Government Area of the state.

Ambode said the health mission was a grassroots intervention programme aimed at complementing established healthcare delivery system in the state.

“I am happy to note that since the commencement of this programme on March 1, over 60,000 residents of Ojo, Oshodi/Isolo, Amuwo Odofin, Badagry, Ajeromi, Agege and Ikeja have benefitted from various health services,” he said.

“It is gratifying to note that among the beneficiaries are the elderly, pregnant women and people with disabilities.

Earlier, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, while speaking on the importance of the programme noted that the State Government is continuously finding ways to improve the health status of its ever-increasing population and added that the plan for achieving this was based on the Health Policy Thrust of the State which is guided by the noble goal that every Lagosian enjoys unfettered access to qualitative healthcare without any barrier whatsoever.

Idris disclosed that the strategies adopted in implementing these policies include the introduction and provision of various programmes that have direct impact on the health outcome of Lagosians. He stressed further that these programmes are geared towards promoting health, detecting diseases early and offering treatment and rehabilitation.

He posited that the overarching goal now is ensuring that residents have access to Universal Health Coverage, and added that the Ministry of Health is working tirelessly to develop and implement strategies, programmes, interventions and initiatives to improve the health outcome of all Lagosians.

“One of these interventions is the Eko Health Mission, which the State Government has used over the years to complement health service delivery in the state. This was put in place, as part of the State Government’s quest to find ways to take healthcare to the grassroots and underserved areas of Lagos State, by addressing pressing health issues of the rural communities in the state”, the Commissioner said.

While affirming that the Health Missions were short-term interventions, Idris pointed out that the programme was geared towards the Strategic Development Plan of ensuring Universal Health Coverage, adding that the Missions provide services that take health care to the doorsteps of its citizens at no cost to the people.

“These health missions are significant because they enable this administration to provide healthcare services to all who come irrespective of their age, gender, socioeconomic status and affiliations”, he concluded.