…Creates 6 Primary Health Care Districts
By Lukman Olabiyi
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has unbundled the health sector of the state with swearing in of seven Permanent Secretaries (PS) and creation of six Primary Health Care Districts for effective service.
The seven PS for health sector were among 11 PS sworn in by the governor yesterday.
He said the appointment of seven out of the 11 permanent secretaries into the health sector, was first of its kind by any sub-national, and was part of the reforms embarked upon by his administration to ensure that no one was left behind in the delivery of qualitative service to Lagosians.
The governor also said the appointment of the new permanent secretaries especially in the health sector was in recognition of their impressive performance, celebration of career progression and for them to assist his government to execute its policies and agenda driven by the THEMES Plus as well as give access to universe health coverage for all.
The appointments brought the number of serving Permanent Secretaries in the State’s public service to 68, with the positions equally divided between men and women.
The governor said the selection of the new Permanent Secretaries was based on their respective performances in the assessment process and their track records of delivery on tasks they were assigned.
He said: “Your appointment to the leadership position in the public service is a way of rewarding your exceptional performance and track record of consistent contribution to the delivery of good governance and dividends of democracy to the people. This ceremony is a celebration of your personal achievement in the your career progression. It is, therefore, important to see this appointment as a recognition and acknowledgment of your performance over the years and the impressive results from the selection process conducted.
“My expectation from you and expectation of Lagosians is to be at your best at all times. You must be on top of your new responsibilities that have been entrusted upon you. As administrators and professionals with years of experience, you have the responsibility to assist the Government in the best possible way to implement policies and programmes that will better the lives of our citizens in line with THEMES Plus agenda. We must must ensure that Lagos public service is ready to serve the interests of the people.”
In his address, Head of Service (HOS), Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, said six of the seven appointed Permanent Secretaries in the medical cadre would be pioneer accounting officers of the newly created PHC Districts, while the last one would head Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA).
By the appointments, the HOS said Lagos, again, had set the pace by creating a first of its kind initiative in the health sector.