The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Lagos State for the 2027 election, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has promised to establish 245 emergency response centres across the state, each equipped with two ambulances, if elected governor.
He also pledged to increase healthcare funding to nearly 15 per cent of the state budget, in line with the benchmark recommended under the Abuja Declaration.
Rhodes-Vivour said the proposed emergency centres would be established across all 245 wards in Lagos to improve access to urgent medical attention and reduce preventable deaths caused by patients moving between hospitals in search of essential services, including oxygen.
The ADC candidate made the promises on Sunday during the Lagos Governorship Debate organised by the Nigeria Debate Consortium, a coalition of media organisations ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Responding to questions on healthcare financing and service delivery, Rhodes-Vivour said his administration would prioritise preventive healthcare, improve the welfare of medical personnel, train support staff and deploy artificial intelligence to strengthen diagnosis and healthcare delivery.
He explained that the proposed community wellness centres would also educate residents on healthy living, proper nutrition, regular exercise and the importance of seeking medical attention early rather than relying on traditional remedies for conditions requiring professional treatment.
The candidate further highlighted the need to rebuild community connections, particularly among retirees and pensioners, noting that loneliness and social isolation were contributing to health challenges among older people.
He said the wellness centres would provide opportunities for exercise and social interaction while promoting healthier lifestyles across communities.
On healthcare funding, Rhodes-Vivour promised to increase the state’s budgetary allocation to the sector to almost 15 per cent, while improving salaries for doctors and strengthening the capacity of other healthcare workers.
In his manifesto, the ADC candidate also pledged to make quality and affordable healthcare more accessible by bringing essential medical services closer to residents.
He proposed partnerships with private healthcare providers to improve service delivery across primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities, alongside better remuneration for doctors, nurses and other government-employed medical personnel.
His manifesto further outlined plans to expand the Lagos State Health Scheme to cover annual medical examinations and integrate routine health checks into primary healthcare services.
Other proposals include installing digital and data infrastructure in primary healthcare centres to improve planning and evidence-based decision-making, as well as linking the state health insurance scheme with the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency database.
Rhodes-Vivour also promised to collaborate with health technology companies to reduce barriers to healthcare access and improve the efficiency of medical services across the state.
The promises come amid concerns over Nigeria’s continued failure to meet the 15 per cent healthcare funding target contained in the Abuja Declaration, adopted 25 years ago.
Despite being the host and signatory nation, Nigeria has consistently allocated between four and six per cent of its national budget to healthcare, contributing to inadequate public health infrastructure, poorly equipped primary healthcare facilities and the continued migration of doctors and nurses in search of better working conditions abroad.
