Odumbaku backs PHC Taskforce, launches committee for vaccination drive

The Chairman of Ojodu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Olusegun Odumbaku, has pledged his full support for the Public Health Centre (PHC) Taskforce recently established by the Lagos State Government to drive a statewide vaccination campaign against preventable diseases.

Odumbaku also announced plans to constitute a local committee within Ojodu LCDA to collaborate with the taskforce in ensuring the success of the immunisation exercise at the grassroots level.

His decision followed the inaugural meeting of the taskforce held on Tuesday at the Office of the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, with all 57 council chairmen in attendance.

The meeting focused on strengthening disease prevention mechanisms and expanding immunisation coverage across communities.

During the meeting, the Deputy Governor underscored the crucial role of council chairmen in achieving the state’s goal of eliminating diseases such as polio and measles through improved PHC operations. He urged them to prioritise healthcare in their budgets and work closely with the taskforce.

“The council chairmen are pivotal to achieving our objective of preventing communicable diseases by ensuring effective primary health care delivery within their domains,” Hamzat said.

“You are the closest to the grassroots, and your commitment to this campaign will determine its success.”

In his remarks, Odumbaku reaffirmed Ojodu LCDA’s readiness to partner with the taskforce to ensure that every child within the council receives necessary vaccinations.

“My administration in Ojodu LCDA is in line with this vaccination campaign by the state. We take seriously the health of our children who are the future generations,” he said.

“Our commitment to this vaccination campaign is unwavering. We are going to set up a committee that will work with the taskforce,” he added.

He added that the council would intensify public enlightenment, engaging parents, school proprietors, and religious leaders on the importance of immunisation against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Highlighting his administration’s investment in healthcare, Odumbaku recalled that since assuming office, four PHCs in Apata, Akiode, Powerline, and Gbadamosi have been renovated or rebuilt.

“The Oluwole health centre has been equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment, and we are working toward equipping others. We have also employed qualified medical personnel,” he said.

Before Odumbaku’s administration, health centres within Ojodu LCDA were reportedly in poor condition. However, since his first term, the council has witnessed a major turnaround — with over 50 health workers employed and more than 600 minor surgeries successfully conducted across facilities in Oluwole, Powerline, and Akiode.