By Omotosho Michael |
Lagos State is taking decisive steps to strengthen its health system through evidence-based planning and reforms under the Ilera-Eko Health Insurance Scheme, aiming to improve service delivery, maternal health, and overall system accountability.
At the dissemination meeting of the 2024 Joint Annual Review (JAR) Report held at Shoregate Hotel, Ikeja, stakeholders, policymakers, and development partners gathered to assess achievements, identify gaps, and outline strategies toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, praised the Lagos health family for its commitment to continuity and innovation. He emphasized that Lagos builds on past administrations’ health projects to ensure sustainable development. “Despite COVID-19 disruptions, we have advanced strategic health plans while maintaining system resilience,” he said.
Abayomi highlighted the Lagos State Development Plan (LSDP) 2052 as a 30-year blueprint guiding health sector policies and programs. He also shared that Lagos has domesticated the National Health Insurance Authority Act 2022, making basic health insurance mandatory for all residents. The Smart Health Information Platform (SHIP), launched six months ago, now enables automated data collection and real-time monitoring across health facilities.
The Commissioner also outlined plans to establish the University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Lagos, aiming to expand annual medical training capacity from 300 to 3,000 students within five years and attract over 100,000 Nigerian health professionals from the diaspora. Lagos aspires to become one of the top three medical tourism destinations in Africa within 15 years.
During the meeting, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi, represented by Mrs. Sarah Balogun, reiterated the government’s commitment to transparency and shared learning through the JAR process. She highlighted the importance of collective effort from development partners in areas such as maternal and child health, immunization, and disease control.
Dr. Olajumoke Oyenuga, Director of Healthcare Planning, Research, and Statistics, explained that the 2024 JAR review involved program officers from all health MDAs and aligned activities with performance indicators. The transparent and evidence-driven process reflects Lagos’ leadership in health governance and informs resource allocation, planning, and implementation.
Consultant Mr. Adebowale Adepoju of SmartData Research presented key findings, reporting strong progress in immunization, health financing, and emergency response. He revealed that 95% of persons living with HIV in Lagos achieved viral suppression, 91% of malaria cases were treated with ACTs, and 677,000 girls were vaccinated against HPV. Over 1.3 million residents are now enrolled in Ilera-Eko, supported by a N3 billion equity fund for the poor.
However, challenges such as workforce attrition, inadequate financing, and fragmented data systems persist. Adepoju recommended stronger digital governance, public-private partnerships, and retention strategies for health professionals.
Dr. Oluwatosin Ijimakinwa, Team Lead RSSH Project, emphasized the meeting’s purpose: to share findings, engage stakeholders, and define actionable steps for improved accountability. Dr. Lateefah Andu, the State’s JAR focal officer, highlighted achievements in emergency response, immunization, environmental health, and workforce training, while noting gaps in funding, retention, and equity.
Participants committed to integrating recommendations into the next Annual Operational Plan and budget cycle, reinforcing Lagos State’s position as a model for health system excellence in Nigeria and across Africa.
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