Lagos hosts key stakeholders to strengthen health services
The Lagos State Ministry of Health hosted a strategic meeting with development partners and donor organizations on Thursday at BON Hotel, Ikeja. The engagement focused on aligning efforts and resources to achieve ambitious health goals for 2025.
The gathering, which highlighted the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) to Health introduced by the Federal Ministry of Health, aimed at streamlining efforts among stakeholders. The SWAp framework encourages government leadership, resource pooling, and a unified strategy to enhance health services across the state.
Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, emphasized the vital role of donor organizations in achieving Lagos’s health objectives. He stressed the importance of aligning interventions with the state’s strategic health goals and called for stronger communication and collaboration among all stakeholders.
Prof. Abayomi highlighted the need for a transformative shift towards a cashless health system. He advocated for a robust health insurance framework that would facilitate automatic payments through pooled funding, boosting investment and innovation in healthcare. “We must improve our facilities and create a competitive environment to drive growth in the sector,” he said.
He also highlighted Lagos’s healthcare achievements, noting that a recent assessment ranked the state as the 8th best city in Africa for healthcare delivery. This success, he said, reflects ongoing reforms and reinforces Lagos’s position as a regional healthcare hub.
However, Prof. Abayomi warned that Lagos’s projected population growth, which could reach between 40 and 50 million in the next 10 to 15 years, poses significant challenges. He pointed out that the informal sector and low tax-to-GDP ratio limit funding for healthcare, stressing the need for more sustainable solutions.
In response to these challenges, the Commissioner announced plans for the establishment of the University of Medicine and Health Sciences and policies aimed at improving medical education. He also revealed efforts to attract two million medical tourists annually by 2052, a move intended to position Lagos as a leading destination for medical tourism in Africa.
The meeting also focused on boosting health insurance coverage from the current 1% to 50%, a strategic move aimed at reducing the financial burden on families and improving access to quality healthcare for all Lagos residents. “This initiative is about making healthcare more accessible and affordable for everyone,” Prof. Abayomi noted.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, echoed these sentiments, praising the diverse representation of stakeholders at the meeting. She stressed the importance of partnerships in addressing the state’s health challenges. “Together, we can ensure that our citizens receive the best possible care,” she said, highlighting the role of development partners in shaping policies and initiatives.
Dr. Ogunyemi further noted that while funding is crucial, the development of human capacity is equally important. “Your organizations are instrumental in training and developing our healthcare workforce,” she said, thanking the donors for their ongoing support.
The event concluded with all stakeholders committing to enhancing primary healthcare services and fostering greater collaboration with the private sector.
Prof. Abayomi called on development partners to leverage their expertise and resources to ensure that healthcare interventions in Lagos are impactful and sustainable.
