LASODA, LSPHCB Commit To Stronger Inclusive Healthcare For Persons With Disabilities
By Sherif Salau
The Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) and the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCB) have pledged to deepen collaboration aimed at improving access to inclusive healthcare services for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) across Lagos State.
The commitment was sealed on Thursday, September 10, 2026, during a courtesy visit by an LSPHCB delegation to LASODA. The team was led by the Director of Health Planning, Research and Statistics, Mrs. Temitope Balogun-Alo, who represented the Board’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ibrahim Akinwunmi Mustafa.
Receiving the visitors, LASODA General Manager Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal outlined critical challenges confronting Persons with Disabilities in the healthcare system. These include physical accessibility barriers, effective communication gaps, limited inclusive employment opportunities, the need for capacity building among healthcare workers, disability identification systems, database management, provision of accessible restrooms, and accurate disability classification.
On employment, she urged the Board to prioritise qualified Persons with Disabilities in its recruitment processes, in line with the employment quota stipulated under the Lagos State Special Peoples Law. She stressed the importance of stronger inter-agency collaboration among relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to tackle these issues and advance a truly inclusive healthcare system.
Mrs. Oyetunde-Lawal noted that the Lagos State Government has continued to demonstrate its commitment to better healthcare access for PWDs through various medical interventions facilitated by LASODA. She emphasised that sustained partnership among stakeholders remains vital to achieving inclusive governance.
Responding, Mrs. Balogun-Alo affirmed the need for LASODA and LSPHCB to work closely together to strengthen advocacy and build sustainable structures that will enhance healthcare services for Persons with Disabilities.
She disclosed that the Board plans to adopt a pilot approach by selecting one Primary Health Centre (PHC) in each Local Government Area for targeted interventions. The initiative will involve engagement with PHC leadership, healthcare workers, communities and cluster heads.
