LASHMA, Foundation partner to expand healthcare access in Lagos

Lagos State Government has advised residents to be hygiene-conscious daily and regularly by practising the right environmental and healthy practices to prevent a Cholera outbreak in the state.

General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Babatunde Ajayi, who gave the advice yesterday, during a sensitisation programme in Ojo Local Council to food, water vendors and waste workers in flood-affected Lagos areas, said that residents and stakeholders play critical roles regarding the cholera outbreak in the communities.

Ajayi, represented by the Director, Engineering Services, Taiwo Olumuyiwa Rotimi, said: “It, therefore, means that the informal food and water vendors and the waste management operators’ activities impact public health, environmental sustainability and overall well-being of Lagosians.

Ajayi maintained that LASEPA remains committed to safeguarding public health by implementing robust environmental protection policies and regulations, as well as partnering with MDAs, international organisations, private sectors and NGOs to further strengthen our response capability for the noble cause by building resilient cities.

Also speaking, Project Assistant, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Wunako Elam, said the awareness and sensitisation seminar was organised under the Japan-funded UNIDO Cholera Project.

RELATEDLY, Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) has partnered with the Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria (DSFN) to expand healthcare access for individuals living with Down syndrome in Lagos State through the state’s Ilera Eko health insurance scheme.

National Administrator of DSFN, Nike Dennis, who disclosed this during a health summit organised by the DSFN with the support of NSIA Insurance at the Foundation’s headquarters in Fagba, said the collaboration was part of efforts to promote inclusive healthcare for persons with Down syndrome.

She, however, emphasised the importance of considering people with intellectual disabilities in health policy formulation and implementation, and called on the government to implement the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which Nigeria has ratified but not fully enforced.

Dennis also urged relevant authorities to move beyond policy declarations and ensure that existing laws translate into tangible benefits for persons with disabilities.