Lagos State Primary Health Care Board has partnered the Clinton Health Access Initiative to advance primary healthcare and improve child survival outcomes in the state.

Ibrahim Mustafa, permanent secretary of the LSPHCB, disclosed this at a three-day workshop to develop the Lagos State Five-Year Routine Immunisation Roadmap (2026–2030).

Mr Mustafa said the strategic framework was designed to bridge immunisation coverage gaps and ensure equitable access to vaccines across the state.

He noted that immunisation was more than a public health intervention, describing it as a “social contract” and a shared responsibility to protect every child, regardless of background or geography, with life-saving vaccines.

While Lagos has made progress, he admitted that immunisation coverage remained uneven, particularly in riverine areas, informal urban settlements, and among mobile populations.

“Some local government areas still report coverage rates as low as 60 per cent, leaving many children exposed to preventable diseases,” he said.

Mr Mustafa noted that, beyond boosting vaccine coverage, the initiative also aimed to strengthen the primary healthcare system, thereby accelerating progress toward Universal Health Coverage.

He urged participants to see the moment as pivotal and take bold, coordinated action that could transform the future of immunisation in Lagos and serve as a model for other states in Nigeria and beyond.

Similarly, Olusegun Emiju, the coordinator of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, outlined the broader vision behind the roadmap.

Mr Emiju stressed that the effort was not only about planning but about building a resilient, accountable, and inclusive system that could sustain progress. He highlighted the importance of strong monitoring mechanisms, collaborative leadership, and strategic planning informed by reliable data.

Reflecting on recent experiences, including challenges faced during the rollout of the HPV vaccine in 2023, Emiju underscored the need for robust community engagement and consistent public trust to overcome vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.

Hadley Ikwe, the director of vaccines at CHAI, underscored the strategic importance of Lagos in Nigeria’s immunisation landscape.

“With its size, diversity, and unique logistical challenges, Lagos plays a central role in shaping national outcomes,” Mr Ikwe said.

He urged participants to move beyond present challenges and think ambitiously about the future.

“If Lagos succeeds, the momentum could inspire and guide similar efforts across the country,” Mr Ikwe added.

The roadmap development process, jointly led by the LSPHCB and CHAI, is being carried out in close collaboration with the NPHCDA and a broad coalition of development partners, technical experts, and civil society organisations.

(NAN)