Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday declared that his administration has moved from delivering healthcare projects to building enduring institutions that will guarantee quality, accessible and affordable healthcare for generations, unveiling fresh reforms in health insurance, digital health, infrastructure and workforce development at the opening of the second edition of the Eko Health Convention held at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki.

Delivering the keynote address at the event, the Governor said the convention’s theme, “Building a Healthier Lagos: Connecting Access with Excellence,” captures the philosophy driving the State’s health reforms. According to him, access without excellence and excellence without access are both inadequate, stressing that Lagos is committed to ensuring every resident enjoys quality healthcare irrespective of location or income.

Sanwo-Olu explained that the administration has deliberately shifted from executing isolated projects to building resilient institutions capable of sustaining healthcare delivery beyond any government. “Projects belong to an administration; institutions become a legacy,” he declared, noting that the State is laying foundations that will outlive present political leadership.

The Governor disclosed that mandatory health insurance remains the cornerstone of achieving Universal Health Coverage in Lagos, recalling that he signed the Executive Order domesticating the National Health Insurance Authority Act in July 2024. He announced that more than 1.5 million Lagos residents are now enrolled under the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme, while utilisation of healthcare services has continued to rise, demonstrating that insurance is translating into real healthcare access.

He highlighted innovative initiatives including the Ilera Eko EasyPay platform, which allows residents to pay health insurance premiums in instalments, the Equity Fund that finances premiums for vulnerable citizens, and the LASHMA Assistance in Distress initiative, which ensures emergency patients receive treatment before payment issues are addressed. Commending the Lagos State Health Management Agency, Sanwo-Olu urged the agency to sustain the momentum in expanding insurance coverage across the State.

Turning to healthcare infrastructure, Sanwo-Olu said Lagos has continued to decentralise healthcare administration through six Health Districts, bringing governance and decision-making closer to communities while improving patient satisfaction and reducing waiting time. He added that Maternal and Child Centres, mobile medical outreach programmes and climate-smart Primary Healthcare Centres are expanding access, while landmark projects including the Massey Children’s Specialist Hospital, the Lagos Mental Health Institute and other General Hospitals are nearing completion.

The Governor said Lagos is embracing evidence-based medicine and digital transformation through the Smart Health Information Platform (SHIP), which will integrate medical records across Primary Healthcare Centres, General Hospitals and Teaching Hospitals. He explained that electronic medical records, artificial intelligence and data analytics would improve diagnosis, disease surveillance, emergency response and policy formulation, while insisting that technology must complement —not replace—health professionals. He acknowledged the healthcare workforce shortage, announcing improved welfare, ongoing recruitment and the establishment of a dedicated University of Medicine and Health Sciences to produce more health professionals.

Calling for stronger collaboration with the private sector and development partners, Sanwo-Olu said public resources alone cannot finance the health needs of a rapidly growing megacity. He reaffirmed government’s commitment to the Lagos Medical Park, medical innovation, research, manufacturing and sustainable partnerships while urging Lagos residents to embrace preventive healthcare by enrolling in health insurance, maintaining environmental sanitation and seeking prompt medical attention. “Healthcare is not a privilege for a few but a right for all,” the Governor declared.

Earlier during a fireside conversation moderated by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, reflected on the transformation of Lagos’ healthcare system since 2019, saying the administration deliberately shifted from a reactive model to a proactive, resilient and institution-driven health system under the THEMES Agenda.

Hamzat said investments in infrastructure, governance and administration have strengthened healthcare delivery across the State, citing the redevelopment of Massey Children’s Specialist Hospital, expansion of General Hospitals, the 1,500-bed Mental Health Institute and the mandatory health insurance programme as evidence of government’s commitment to universal health coverage. He maintained that Lagos is in a far stronger position today than it was seven years ago.

On healthcare governance, the Deputy Governor described decentralisation through Health Districts as one of the administration’s most impactful reforms, explaining that bringing administration closer to communities has improved accountability, generated better data for decision-making and enhanced community-based health education, particularly in maternal healthcare and referral systems.

Hamzat also praised healthcare workers for their sacrifices, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, acknowledging the realities of migration while assuring them that government remains committed to improving welfare, working conditions and opportunities. “Buildings do not treat people; healthcare workers do,” he remarked, describing doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other professionals as the foundation of the health system.

In their joint opening remarks delivered in a conversational TED Talk style, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi, and the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said Lagos has moved decisively from healthcare commitments to implementation, guided by Governor Sanwo-Olu’s vision of making healthcare affordable, accessible, data-driven and people-centred.

Dr. Ogunyemi said significant progress has been recorded in strengthening primary healthcare, referral systems, emergency preparedness, disease surveillance, workforce development and operational efficiency. She disclosed that government has approved a stand-alone University of Medicine and Health Sciences while improving staff welfare and decentralising clinical training to address workforce shortages, insisting that no digital platform can function without motivated health workers.

Prof. Abayomi described the Eko Health Convention as a strategic platform for reviewing progress under the Lagos State Health Sector Strategic Master Plan. He said transformational projects such as the Massey Children’s Specialist Hospital, Ojo General Hospital, Mental Health Institute and the Lagos State University of Medicine and Health Sciences are already attracting interest from healthcare professionals in the diaspora, while digital transformation through SHIP and the Lagos State Medical Innovation Zone would position Lagos as Africa’s leading hub for healthcare innovation, manufacturing and research. He added that malaria elimination remains within reach as diagnosis rates continue to decline through evidence-based interventions.

Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Hon. Musbau Aina-Lawal, commended the Ministry of Health for sustaining the Eko Health Convention, describing it as an important platform for evaluating healthcare progress. He pledged the continued support of the Legislature in advancing healthcare reforms and applauded Governor Sanwo-Olu, the health leadership and stakeholders for driving transformation in the sector.

Introducing the Eko Health Talks, the Permanent Secretary, Health Service Commission, Dr. Femi Omololu, said healthcare extends beyond treatment to encompass affordability, accessibility and quality. Using the contrasting experiences of two women to illustrate health inequalities, he challenged participants to build a system where every Lagosian can obtain safe, affordable and quality healthcare close to home.

Delivering a presentation on “The Ilera Eko Reality: Digital Innovation in Social Health Insurance,” Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Health Management Agency, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, demonstrated how technology is transforming the entire insurance value chain through digital enrolment, telemedicine, emergency response, electronic authorisation and flexible premium payment. She said innovation is ultimately about protecting lives and ensuring that healthcare is not determined by income, geography or circumstance.

Presenting a paper titled “Care Closer to Home: How Health Districts are Reshaping Primary Care,” Permanent Secretary, Health District V, Dr. Dapo Asiyanbi, traced the evolution of public healthcare in Lagos from community-based public health practice to modern primary healthcare reforms. He said recent governance reforms have significantly reduced waiting time and improved patient satisfaction, stressing that the future of healthcare lies in returning services to communities.

Executive Secretary of the Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA), Dr. Victoria Egunjobi, urged healthcare providers to embrace a culture of patient safety, reminding health professionals of their ethical obligation to “first, do no harm.” She said HEFAMAA is moving beyond routine licensing to full accreditation, standardisation, quality assurance and continuous improvement to guarantee safe care in every health facility across Lagos.

Former Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, and Commissioner I, Lagos State Health Service Commission, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, expressed delight that the Eko Health Convention has become an enduring annual platform after the successful maiden edition. He noted that the inaugural convention generated conversations that have significantly influenced healthcare reforms and expressed optimism that the 2026 edition would stimulate even greater innovation.

President of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria, Dr. Njide Ndili, reaffirmed the private sector’s commitment to supporting Lagos in achieving Universal Health Coverage, saying collaboration between government, private healthcare providers and development partners remains indispensable. She applauded the State Government for maintaining an open-door policy that has strengthened public-private partnerships in healthcare.

Mental health advocate and Founder of Genevieve Magazine, Betty Irabor, challenged Nigerians to become more intentional about their physical and mental wellbeing. Drawing from her personal experience as a survivor of depression, she urged citizens, particularly older adults to embrace healthy lifestyles, regular exercise, good nutrition and mental wellness while congratulating the organisers for prioritising conversations around healthcare transformation.

The Eko Health Convention 2026 continues tomorrow 7th August, with technical sessions focusing on digital transformation, healthcare financing, patient safety, primary healthcare, innovation and strategic partnerships as government, development partners, healthcare professionals and private sector stakeholders seek practical solutions to accelerate universal health coverage and build a healthier Lagos.

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