The Lagos State Primary Health Care Board has joined hands with the Clinton Health Access Initiative to improve primary healthcare and save more children’s lives in the state.
The Permanent Secretary of the Board, Dr. Ibrahim Mustafa, said this during a three-day workshop to create the Lagos State Five-Year Routine Immunization Roadmap (2026–2030).
He explained that the new plan is meant to close gaps in vaccine coverage and make sure every child in the state, no matter where they live, has access to life-saving vaccines.
Dr. Mustafa described immunization as more than just a health measure. He called it a “social contract” and a shared duty to protect all children, regardless of their background or location.
He admitted that while Lagos has made progress, some communities are still left behind. These include riverine areas, informal urban settlements, and families who often move from place to place.
“Some local governments still have coverage as low as 60 per cent, which means many children remain at risk of diseases that could be prevented,” he said.
He added that the project is not only about giving more children vaccines but also about strengthening the entire primary healthcare system. This, he said, will help Lagos move closer to achieving Universal Health Coverage.
Dr. Mustafa urged participants to see this effort as an important turning point and to take bold, united steps that can change the future of immunization in Lagos. He also said the state could become a model for other parts of Nigeria and beyond.
Also speaking, Dr. Olusegun Emiju, the Lagos State Coordinator of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, explained the wider vision of the roadmap.
He said the goal is not just to make a plan but to build a strong, accountable, and inclusive healthcare system that can keep the progress going.
