The Lagos State Health District III in partnership with the Ibeju-Lekki Local Government on Wednesday hosted a community engagement programme aimed at sensitizing residents on critical health issues and the benefits of primary healthcare services.
The engagement, which held across various communities within the council area, had in attendance the Executive Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, Hon. Abdullahi Sesan Olowa, alongside the Supervisor for Health, Hon. Tajudeen Sindiku Oniwonlu, and other senior health officials.
Addressing the gathering, Hon. Olowa emphasized the need for residents to take proactive steps toward their wellbeing. He urged the community to foster closer relationships with medical professionals and abandon harmful health superstitions.
“We must take our health seriously—check your blood pressure regularly, reduce stress, and don’t let it hinder your daily life,” he said. He also called on nursing mothers and residents to make full use of the Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) available across the LGA.
In her health education session, Dr. Adenike from the Lagos State Health District III clarified misconceptions about malaria, stating that recent statistics show only about 3% of reported illnesses are actual malaria cases. She attributed the low prevalence to the Lagos State Government’s proactive strategies over the years.
“Fatigue and other conditions are often misdiagnosed as malaria. Self-medication is dangerous and should be discouraged,” Dr. Adenike cautioned, while encouraging parents to always provide consent for their children to receive vaccinations.
Dr. Adenike also announced that the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Week is currently ongoing across the state.
She disclosed that June 28 has been set aside for the National Immunization Day for the administration of oral polio vaccines. Simultaneously, a Routine Immunization Intensification Programme will run from June 28 to July 4, 2025.
In a significant update, she revealed that the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine will be administered to girls who recently turned nine, as part of ongoing efforts to prevent cervical cancer.
Ibeju-Lekki Local Government has been rated as the council with the highest immunization coverage in Lagos State, a milestone that underscores the commitment of the Olowa-led administration in advancing public health access and promoting community well-being.
The event reinforced the state government’s dedication to community-based health interventions and the importance of collaboration between local councils and health authorities.
