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In a pivotal gathering today at BON Hotel in Ikeja, the Lagos State Ministry of Health gathered key development partners and donor organizations to outline an ambitious health agenda for 2025. This engagement meeting was a vital step toward fostering collaboration, defining responsibilities, and prioritizing strategic health interventions in the bustling metropolis.

The event highlighted the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) to Health, a strategic model introduced by the Federal Ministry of Health. This framework emphasizes government leadership, resource pooling, and a unified strategy among stakeholders, aiming to streamline efforts toward enhancing health services across the state.The meeting’s objectives were comprehensive, focusing on aligning strategic goals, enhancing collaboration, reviewing funding priorities, and addressing challenges.

State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, underscored the essential role that development partners play in shaping Lagos’s health sector. “Donor interventions must align with our strategic health goals,” he stated, advocating for clear communication and collaborative efforts among all stakeholders present.

Prof. Abayomi painted an optimistic picture of the health landscape, calling for a transformative shift toward a cashless health system. He stressed the necessity of a robust insurance framework to facilitate automatic payments via pooled funding, aiming to stimulate investment and innovation in the healthcare sector.

He noted that a recent independent assessment has positioned Lagos as the 8th city in Africa for healthcare delivery. This achievement, he explained, is a testament to ongoing reforms and improvements, showcasing the city’s commitment to elevating its health services and reinforcing its status as a regional healthcare hub.

In his presentation, Prof. Abayomi painted a sobering picture of Lagos’s health landscape. He warned of the alarming population growth projected to reach between 40 and 50 million in the next 10 to 15 years, coupled with an extensive informal sector that contributes to a low tax-to-GDP ratio. “Despite Lagos being the economic hub of West Africa, our health sector remains underfunded and outside the mainstream economy,” he stated.

Prof. Abayomi proposed transforming the health sector into a cashless system, emphasizing the need for a robust insurance framework that guarantees automatic payments based on pooled funding. “We must improve our facilities and create a competitive environment within the health sector to drive investment and innovation,” he added.

The Commissioner disclosed that the State Government is working towards establishing the University of Medicine and Health Sciences and implementing human capital development policies geared towards enhancing the production of medical graduates while also securing financial resources for revitalizing primary healthcare. He noted that such proactive engagement signals a promising future for healthcare investment in Lagos.

He added that Lagos State has set ambitious targets to attract two million medical tourists annually by 2052, with plans to dramatically increase hospital bed availability and significantly reduce maternal and infant mortality rates. The Commissioner noted that this efforts further demonstrate the state’s dedication to improving public health outcomes and positioning Lagos as a leading destination for medical tourism in Africa.

While restating the commitment of the State Government to robust infrastructure overhaul which is essential for meeting the rising healthcare demands of Lagos’s diverse population, he revealed that efforts to boost health insurance coverage from a mere 1% to 50% reflect a strategic move toward making healthcare more accessible for residents. “This initiative aims to ease the financial burden on families, ensuring that quality health services are within reach for all”, he said.

Earlier in her remarks, Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi, conveyed her enthusiasm for the evolving health ecosystem in Lagos. She acknowledged the diverse representation of stakeholders present at the meeting, highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts to meet the varied health needs of the population. “It’s fantastic to see so many organizations committed to safety and quality care,” she said. “Together, we can ensure that our citizens receive the best possible healthcare.”

Dr. Ogunyemi emphasized the necessity of partnership, noting that the Ministry of Health cannot tackle these challenges alone. “We recognize that your input and expertise are invaluable to our policies and initiatives,” she remarked. “Without your support, we would struggle to meet our objectives. It’s wonderful to see so many dedicated partners here today, working alongside us to improve health outcomes in Lagos.”

Addressing the challenges ahead, she pointed out the critical role of funding and human capacity development. “While financial resources are essential, they alone cannot address our healthcare needs,” she explained. “We must also invest in training and developing our workforce. Your organizations are instrumental in this process, and we deeply appreciate your commitment to providing the support and data necessary for our ongoing improvement.” Dr. Ogunyemi concluded by reaffirming her optimism about the future, stating, “We’re all here with a common objective, and I look forward to collaborating with each of you to elevate healthcare in Lagos to new heights.”

The meeting highlighted the urgent need to address health disparities, with a focus on enhancing primary healthcare services to reduce the reliance on secondary and tertiary facilities. A major theme of the meeting was the increasing collaboration with the private sector.

The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from all parties to foster a collaborative environment prioritizing the health needs of Lagos residents. Prof. Abayomi called upon development partners to leverage their resources and expertise, ensuring that interventions are both impactful and sustainable.

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