PHSAI visits Lagos First Lady, seeks consent to endorse her as FP/LPAY Champion

Success Damian:

L-R: Chairperson Interfaith Forum, Dr. Ajoke Ashiru; Secretary of Public Health Sustainable Advocacy  Initiative (PHSAI), Her Excellency Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Omasanjuwa Edun, NURHI 2 State Team Leader and Barrister Ayo Adebusoye, Chairman PHSAI during an advocacy visit by PHSAI to the first lady.

Public Health Sustainable Advocacy Initiative (PHSAI) has paid an advocacy visit to the First lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwoolu.

The core objective of the visit was to advocate ways to improve Sexual and Reproductive Health of young people in the state. This is because of her passion and interests in public health having served as Medical Director in Shomolu General Hospital, Lagos.

She received the team with love and engaged the PHSAI team in a great and rich conversation.

Barr. Ayo Adebusoye introduced to the First Lady the PHSAI Family Planning Budget scorecard and what PHSAI had achieved since its emergence in 2015 in Lagos state.

PHSAI intervention has been to make sure that all Local governments Chairmen in the State support family planning services by releasing funds for consumables to deliver free quality  FP services to the most vulnerable.

Ajayi Abiodun, Lagos State Coordinator - Life Planning for Adolescent and Youth (LPAY Champion) reiterated that the primary purpose of this visit was to make the First Lady an FP/ LPAY Champion as a leading voice that will help advocate for release of funds for Adolescent & Youth Friendly Services in the state to address the critical  issues facing young people. He said Champions were to make sure that key drivers give prompt attention to Adolescent and Youth programs in the State by providing Life-Planning skills training.

The First Lady acknowledged the work of NURHI 2 in the health sector of the State and observed that it is unfortunate that it is when the new administration is just gearing up that NURHI2 project is winding up. She stated that it is now a challenge as a concerned Government to practically own the health interventions even when NURHI2 and other Implementing Health Partners have gone.

Mrs Sanwoolu committed to give prompt attention to Public health in the state. She planned to meet with all the 57 chairmen where they will be charged to step up efforts in delivering quality health care services to their people.

She also accepted to be inducted as an FP / LPAY Champion and thanked PHSAI for not giving up in our objectives and expressed her willingness to always partner with the Group.