As part of efforts to prevent flood disasters following the predicted heavy rainfalls in Lagos later this month and in September, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has partnered with the Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board (LSPHCB) for response plans.
Hence, the Director General of LASEMA, Dr. Oluwafemi Oke-Osanyitolu, paid a visit to the Permanent Secretary, LSPHCB, Dr Olugbenga Aina, where both parties discussed on how to check negative impacts of expected rainfalls.
Oke-Osanyitolu, represented by the Director, Operations, LASEMA, Engr Olatunde Akinsanya, said the collaboration with the primary healthcare board is important because it is closer to the communities.
“LASEMA is planning an effective collaboration with the primary healthcare board, because we discovered that it is one of the major healthcare institutions of the government that covers almost every area in the state and LASEMA intends to tap into it, with a view to reaching out to the larger population,” he said.
He added there was need to alert critical stakeholders and prepare to give the residents the confidence that the government takes their safety seriously.
Oke-Osanyitolu added that the primary healthcare board has the capacity in terms of facilities, human and equipment to take care of health related cases in all the local governments. “We intend to work effectively with them to activate a response plan before and when flood comes,” he added.
On his part, Aina said the collaboration is a welcome development, noting that as a result of COVID-19, the primary healthcare board has developed the capacity of its staff to educate the various members of the communities, while trying to contain community transmission.
“We can also use that same platform to deliver the message that will mitigate any impending disaster. Part of responding to a disaster is to be proactive. If the disaster still happens, the first point of call is the community, including the primary healthcare facilities. So, how do we prepare the health workforce to take care of such emergencies, if they do occur,” he said.
Aina further said the risk communication pattern of the primary healthcare board would not just be about COVID-19 prevention, it would also be about flood mitigation. “Once we do that we would be able to strengthen the system better,” Aina added.
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