The Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) and the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCB) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration to improve access to inclusive healthcare services for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) across Lagos State. The commitment was made on Thursday, September 10, 2026, when the LSPHCB paid a courtesy visit to LASODA, led by the Director, Health Planning, Research and Statistics, Mrs. Temitope Balogun-Alo, who represented the Permanent Secretary of the Boardz Dr Ibrahim Akinwunmi Mustafa.
Receiving the delegation, the General Manager of LASODA, Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, identified key challenges confronting PWDs within the healthcare system, including physical accessibility, effective communication, inclusive employment, capacity building for healthcare workers, disability identification, database management, accessible restrooms and appropriate disability classification. She also urged the Board to give due consideration to qualified PWDs in its recruitment processes, in line with the employment quota provided under the Lagos State Special Peoples Law.
Oyetunde-Lawal stressed the need for stronger collaboration among relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), noting that the Lagos State Government had continued to demonstrate its commitment to improving healthcare access for PWDs through various medical interventions facilitated by LASODA.
She said sustained collaboration was essential to achieving inclusive governance, adding, “Beyond providing interventions, we need to strengthen the systems around healthcare delivery to ensure that Persons with Disabilities can access services with dignity and without unnecessary barriers.”
Responding, Balogun-Alo said LASODA and LSPHCB would work together to strengthen advocacy and develop sustainable structures to improve healthcare services for PWDs. disclosong that the Board would adopt a pilot approach by selecting a Primary Health Centre (PHC) in each Local Government Area for targeted interventions, with plans to engage PHC leadership, healthcare workers, communities and cluster heads to ensure effective coordination and implementation.
The Director further disclosed that the Board would develop a work plan in collaboration with LASODA to enhance service delivery for PWDs across Lagos State. She described the meeting as a “huge eye-opener” and said the discussions would guide the development of practical interventions.
Both agencies reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining the partnership and advancing disability inclusion towards a more accessible, responsive and inclusive healthcare system in Lagos State.
