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| Dr. Adeleke Awolesi |
A Lagos State Medical Officer of Health, Dr Adeleke Awolesi, has urged Nigerians to make Primary Health Care (PHC) centres their first point of contact when they have health concerns instead of relying on self-medication, pharmacies or patent medicine vendors.
Awolesi, who is also Chairman of the Association of Medical Officers of Health in Lagos, made the call during the second edition of Wellness Diary Live, a health webinar organised by Brand Multimedia Communication Network.
Speaking on the theme, “Primary Health Care and Everyday Wellness: Why Community Health Matters,” he explained that PHCs provide more than treatment for minor illnesses.
According to him, primary healthcare supports disease prevention, health education, early detection, immunisation, maternal and child healthcare, treatment of minor ailments and referral of patients who require more specialised medical attention.
He said bypassing PHCs and relying on over-the-counter medication could make it harder to identify health conditions early and ensure appropriate treatment.
The medical officer also raised concerns about declining immunisation coverage and vaccine hesitancy, urging parents to follow recommended vaccination schedules and seek reliable medical information when confronted with concerns about vaccines.
Awolesi called for greater community ownership of primary healthcare, saying traditional rulers, religious organisations, civil society groups and other community institutions have important roles to play in promoting preventive healthcare.
He also advocated increased government investment in PHC infrastructure and services to improve access and health outcomes.
The webinar further examined patient experience and respectful maternity care after a participant, Ibiremi Ibikunle-Ayeni, shared her experience of giving birth at a Lagos primary healthcare centre.
She described receiving free care and support from a nurse but also recounted an earlier pre-labour assessment that she found painful and lacking in compassion.
The experience prompted discussion about respectful communication, patient feedback and the quality of interactions between healthcare workers and patients.
Awolesi said Lagos State had introduced training focused on respectful maternity care, alongside feedback mechanisms aimed at improving service delivery. He also noted that the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board had been restructured into six districts to strengthen supervision, training and service delivery.
Convener of Wellness Diary Live, Aderayo Olaiya, said primary healthcare should be part of everyday wellness rather than a subject discussed only during disease outbreaks or major health emergencies.
She also highlighted the media's role in bridging information gaps and creating conversations that can contribute to better healthcare services.
The webinar encouraged communities to support preventive practices, including handwashing, use of insecticide-treated nets, healthy diets and early consultation when health concerns arise.
