UNICEF tackles Lagos on health disparities

Lagos - UNICEF on Friday told the Lagos State Government to reduce health disparities to facilitate the realisation of its mega city dream.

The UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Mr David Gressly, gave the advice in Lagos at the launch of the state’s Health Sector Investment Case Document.

Gressly said that the government would achieve its mega city project easier, if a greater proportion of its population had access to healthcare services.

He said that as the centre of excellence, Lagos should deal with inequity in health and provide access to healthcare services to its residents both in urban and rural areas.

“One estimate suggests there are more than a hundred slum areas in the greater Lagos area. The challenges are obviously immense.

“Lagos can live up to its reputation by demonstrating how to deal with inequity in health. There should be equity in a great city,’’ he said.

He said that the launched document was a guide that should help to reduce health disparities.

“The investment case demonstrated that with an investment of 15 dollars per capita per year, by 2020, Lagos would have reduced child mortality by 50 per cent and maternal mortality would have declined by 30 per cent.

“Importantly also, Lagos would have reduced health disparities by directing investments where they are needed most,’’ he said.

The regional director said that it was important that everybody had access to essential health facilities.

The state’s Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, said that the document provided evidence in support of the existence of health disparities in the state.

He said that the document also suggested ways to reduce the disparities.

Fashola said that the government was committed to implementing child survival strategies through immunisation, maternal mortality reduction programmes and prevention and management of HIV/AIDS.

He called on donor-agencies, development partners and the private sector to support the government’s efforts in developing the state’s health sector.

Dr Kenneth Ojo who reviewed the document said that it presented a compelling case for investment in equitable healthcare in the state.

Ojo said that the investment case highlighted the challenges facing healthcare provision in the urban environment but recognised significant progress so far made. (NAN)

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/03/unicef-tackles-lagos-on-health-disparities/