In his presentation, the PSN-PACFaH Program Director (Strategy) Remi Adeseun, informed the Permanent Secretary that the coalition intend to support the State Government towards achievement its child intervention policies in areas such as;  family planning, nutrition, routine immunization and ending childhood killer diseases-pneumonia and diarrhoea.

He called for creation of budget lines and increased funding in addressing these critical health issues. He commended the present administration for the Health allocation in the 2016 Lagos State budget, which is about 10% of the State’s total budget and for being the First State in Nigeria to Create a Specific Budget Line for Family Planning (FP).  He also appreciated Lagos state, for strengthening Health Systems through institutionalization of the PHC under One Roof and for enacting the Lagos State health insurance scheme in 2015.

The group requested for adoption of Amoxicillin Dispersible Tablet (Amoxicillin DT) as the First Line Drug in the management of Childhood Pneumonia and the use of Zinc and Low Osmolarity Oral Rehydration Salt (Zinc/LO-ORS) as the First Line Drug in the Management of Childhood Diarrhoea. “The State Government should create a specific budget lines for the procurement of these essential drugs-Amoxicillin DT and Zinc/LO-ORS. This will ensure that the commodities are regularly available at all health facilities in the State. “This is in line with best/standard Practice in the world; a policy the Nigeria Government committed to in 2012 under the auspices of the United Nations Commission on Life-Saving Commodities, which is yet to be implemented.

The Conventional/Standard High Osmolarity ORS should be discouraged and removed from circulation due to its severe adverse effects on the health of the citizens especially Children under 5 years. He also advocated for timely release of funds for the procurement of the essential medicines”, he said In her response, the Permanent Secretary assured the advocacy team that their request will be fully addressed by the appropriate authorities. According to her, “the Primary Healthcare Board has specific budget lines for the procurement of Amoxicillin DT and Zinc/LO-ORS in the State 2016 budget”.

She also assured the visiting team of the State readiness to adopt and implement the use of Amoxicillin DT and Zinc/LO-ORS as the First Line Drugs for the Management of Childhood Pneumonia and Diarrhoea.

Source: National Mirror Online