By Omotosho Michael |
A coalition of civil society organizations, youth networks, and development partners officially launched the GoFundPHC Campaign in Lagos on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. 
The initiative, spearheaded by Public Health Sustainable Advocacy Initiative (PHSAI) and various consortiums, aims to bridge the funding and accountability gaps currently hindering the effectiveness of Primary Health Care (PHC) systems in the state.
The campaign arrives at a critical juncture for the Lagos State health sector. While stakeholders acknowledged and commended the state government’s ongoing reforms including infrastructure expansion and the growth of health insurance they warned that these physical improvements must be accompanied by transparent financing and measurable service delivery.
According to the Chairman, PHASI, Barr. Ayo Adebusoye, during the launch highlighted a persistent crisis in the state’s primary healthcare landscape. “Despite being the first point of contact for the public, many PHC facilities struggle with a shortage of skilled workers, inconsistent power and water supply, and a lack of 24-hour services. Currently, only about two-thirds of the required workforce is in place, forcing more than half of Lagos residents to seek medical attention from the private or informal sectors,” he said. “This reliance on private care often leads to high out-of-pocket expenses and preventable health complications.”
Mr. Abiodun Ajayi the Executive Director of Public Health Sustainable Advocacy Initiative (PHSAI) said that the initiative was designed for a citizen-led advocacy movement to address these deficiencies. He further stated that, “the campaign will mobilize young people and community actors to track PHC-related funding and monitor service readiness at the facility level,” he said. “By utilizing digital platforms and grassroots mobilization, the initiative seeks to ensure that government investments translate into functional, affordable care for all residents.”
A central focus of the campaign is the role of Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). Campaign leaders identified local chairmen as the frontline custodians of healthcare and called on them to take direct responsibility for the performance of facilities within their jurisdictions. The campaign specifically demanded that local governments prioritize PHC in their annual budgets, ensure the timely release of funds, and strengthen community structures like Ward Development Committees.
Core Advocacy Demands
To achieve these goals, the GoFundPHC Campaign outlined several core advocacy demands.
- Financial Transparency: Full public accountability for the use of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), insurance funds, and local government health allocations.
- Human Resource Strengthening: The urgent recruitment and retention of skilled health workers to close existing gaps.
- Facility Readiness: Ensuring every Primary Health Care center has essential medicines, functional equipment, and a reliable supply of power and water.
- Governance Reform: The immediate constitution of effective, non-partisan Local Government Health Authorities (LGHAs) by all LGA and LCDA Chairmen to oversee the consistent delivery of basic health services.
- Accountability Mechanisms: The revitalization of Ward Development Committees and the establishment of clear feedback and complaint channels for patients at every facility.
In their closing remarks, organizers emphasized that a strong primary healthcare system is the most effective way to reduce the burden on secondary and tertiary hospitals while improving maternal and child survival rates. They called on the media and community members to act as watchdogs, ensuring that every ward in Lagos State eventually hosts a funded and accountable health center.
