Lagos PHCs record gains in key maternal, newborn health indicators
–Decry late antenatal registrationA cross-section of stakeholders with journalists at the media parley. With sustained interventions and investments in grassroots healthcare, the Lagos State Primary Health. . .
–Decry late antenatal registrationA cross-section of stakeholders with journalists at the media parley. With sustained interventions and investments in grassroots healthcare, the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCB) says it has recorded significant improvements in key maternal and newborn health indicators across its Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs). The Board said the gains were recorded over the period of 2023 to 2025 in four major areas: immunisation, early initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of birth, family planning uptake, and maternal protection against anaemia during pregnancy. However, it expressed concern over the persistent trend of late antenatal care (ANC) registration, describing it as a major challenge undermining the state’s efforts to improve maternal health outcomes. According to the Board, many pregnant women still delay registration until after 20 weeks of pregnancy, exposing themselves and their babies to preventable complications before or during delivery. It stressed the need for stronger public awareness campaigns to encourage early antenatal attendance. Dr Temitope Balogun-Alo, director, Health Planning Research and Statistics, LSPHCB, disclosed this at a Media Roundtable Dialogue on Evidence-Based Health Reporting and Public Discourse organised by the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH) in partnership with EngenderHealth in Lagos. She highlighted the critical role of PHCs in improving public health, noting that although primary healthcare facilities account for about 32 per cent of public healthcare services in the state, they provide approximately 92 per cent of immunisation services and care for millions of children, making them central to preventive healthcare and community health interventions. According to her, “Maternal and newborn health indicators have shown continuous improvement over recent years. Findings from Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAEH+N) assessment in Lagos show that there is very high performance in areas such as early initiation of breastfeeding within one hour after birth, rose from 82 per cent in 2023 to 96 per cent in 2025, while appropriate use of uterotonics during childbirth, and newborn resuscitation has risen to 99 per cent. ”Dr Alo revealed further that the correct use of partographs during labour has improved to 79 per cent, while family planning uptake has increased by 68 per cent. According to her, more newborns are also benefiting from chlorhexidine cord care, a critical intervention aimed at reducing neonatal infections and improving survival. Also speaking at the event, Head of Monitoring and Evaluation at the Board, Abioye Amodu, said more than 4,000 healthcare workers across PHCs in Lagos currently provide immunisation services to over three million children. “Those 4,000 workers in Lagos PHCs that are looking after over three million children are doing 92 per cent of the vaccination in the state,” she said. Amodu said that beyond immunisation, Lagos has recorded significant improvements in maternal and child healthcare through sustained investments, enhanced staff capacity and stronger community engagement. She emphasised that the figures underscore the central role of PHCs in improving child survival and maternal health, while noting continued progress in key maternal and newborn health indicators. Amodu also highlighted improvements in outpatient services, breastfeeding support, family planning and other essential services provided at PHCs. She, however, called for greater community participation, noting that many residents remain unaware of the improvements taking place across primary healthcare facilities. Mrs Adetoro Tayo-Adetoro, Head, Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation, Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), urged Lagos residents to increase enrolment in the state’s health insurance scheme to cushion the impact of rising healthcare costs. Highlighting the agency’s efforts to improve health outcomes and access to information, Tayo-Adetoro said LASHMA had introduced the Ilera Eko Spotlight platform and other social media channels through which residents and journalists could access credible health information. Speaking on the significance of the media dialogue, Mr Solomon Dogo, CEO International Society for Media in Public Health (ISMPH), said one of the programme’s objectives was to equip journalists to produce high-quality, evidence-based reports, promote actionable journalism and strengthen collaboration among government, the media, civil society and development partners. As Nigeria’s commercial capital and one of Africa’s largest and most dynamic cities, he said Lagos occupies a unique position where evidence-based health reporting can support planning and informed decision-making. “I think it can have a broad impact on business, more commendable investments in primary healthcare, health insurance, research and innovation, and economic and charitable solutions. Yet, like every other country, opportunities remain to strengthen services to the nation, improve healthcare, and ensure that every resident has access to quality medical care. ”More importantly, he underscored the vision of ISMPH to champion evidence-informed public discourse. “That public discourse drives accountability, and that accountability should authentically translate into improved health and well-being for the people of Nigeria. ”