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Lagos – A coalition of civil society organisations under the Lagos State Accountability Mechanism (LASAM), in partnership with the EngenderHealth-led consortium, urged the Lagos State Government weekend to fast-track the implementation of vital health policy memos aimed at improving outcomes for maternal and child healthcare.
The coalition made the demand during a strategic advocacy meeting with Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Health.
Members of the coalition who were representatives from the Lagos State Civil Society Partnership (LACSOP), the Public Health Sustainable Advocacy Initiative (PHSAI), and LASAM, lauded Ogunyemi’s commitment to maternal and child health since taking office.
They highlighted her leadership in strengthening reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health and nutrition programs across the state.
The coalition delivered a clear demand: the immediate release of approved memos on nutrition, reproductive health, family planning, child health, and adolescent health that remain pending within the Ministry of Health.
They argued that without these directives in circulation, health facilities cannot uniformly adopt the guidelines needed to scale up quality services.
In response, Dr. Ogunyemi affirmed her dedication to the cause, pledging to elevate the issue in discussions with the Governor and the Ministry of Health and Prioritise the formal dissemination of the outstanding memos
She also promised to grant LASAM coalition representatives a permanent seat at the state’s monthly tuberculosis (TB) coordination meetings.
The group and Dr. Ogunyemi agreed that sustained dialogue and inclusive policy forums are crucial next steps. By embedding civil society voices into ongoing health sector convenings, the state can ensure transparency and accelerated implementation of key health strategies.
Coalition leaders emphasised that prompt release and adoption of these policy memos will directly impact service delivery at primary health centers and hospitals, ultimately reducing maternal and child morbidity and mortality in Lagos State.