The Lagos State Health Service Commission (HSC) recently concluded its Y2025 Strategic Leadership and Financial Management Retreat, gathering healthcare executives and Medical Directors from all 29 General Hospitals to strengthen leadership integrity and system sustainability across the state.
Under the theme “Breaking Silos: Practical Pathways to Integrated Healthcare Delivery,” the two-day event focused on the critical need for transparency, financial prudence, and collaborative care to meet the growing medical demands of Lagos State’s expanding population.
The Integrity of Leadership
Delivering the keynote lecture, “The Hospital We Want To Leave Behind: Leadership Legacy and System Sustainability,” Dr. Ademuyiwa Benjamin Eniayewun, former Permanent Secretary of the Commission, emphasized that the foundation of any successful medical institution is the character of its leader.
“A leader that desires the support and loyalty of followers must not be a scammer or be seen as one,” Dr. Eniayewun stated. “He must be a straightforward person, not indulging in lies or biased treatment, so that followers’ full support and dedication can be elicited.”
He warned that if staff perceive a leader as untruthful, they may feel justified in jeopardizing organizational goals, ultimately leading to system failure. Dr. Eniayewun urged executives to leave behind legacies of sustainable systems that they themselves could visit with “confidence and pride.”
Creating a Patient-Centered Environment
Contributing to the dialogue, Dr. Yinka Otepola, former Coordinator of the Hospital Transformation and Support Initiative (HTSI), challenged senior personnel to transform the clinical environment. He advocated for hospitals that “feel like home” for both patients and staff.
Key priorities highlighted for the 29 General Hospitals included affordable and prompt high-quality care, the deployment of modern technology and AI, consistent utilities, specifically uninterrupted electricity and water, the elimination of professional arrogance among healthcare providers, and a strong focus on mental health wellness for the workforce.
Financial Governance Amidst Economic Pressure
In her opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the HSC, Dr. Cecilia Abimbola Mabogunje, addressed the mounting pressure on the state’s healthcare infrastructure. She noted that rising operational costs and higher patient volumes require a more disciplined approach to resource management.
“The current economic situation has led to heightened scrutiny of how public resources are managed,” Dr. Mabogunje remarked. She identified sound financial governance as mandatory, calling for the prudent use of public funds to avoid reputational risks and medico-legal litigations.
She further stressed the importance of breaking silos within the sector, urging professionals across all cadres to synergize and collaborate for the sake of better patient outcomes.
Innovation and Synergy
The retreat featured a series of technical sessions led by resource persons and Permanent Secretaries, covering topics such as Revenue Renaissance, Bed Space Optimization, and the use of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) to integrate services.
Beyond the lectures, the event fostered team building through brain-teasers, games, and award presentations, reinforcing the message that a unified, motivated leadership is essential for Lagos to remain the “Centre of Excellence” in healthcare.
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