Sanwo-Olu Reaffirms Commitment to World-Class, Tech-Driven Healthcare System In Lagos
The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a world-class, global and technology-driven health system, promising to complete major health projects, deepen digital transformation, and achieve universal health coverage.
He made this declaration while addressing stakeholders at the first Eko Health Convention 2025, held at The Jewel Aeida, Lekki, with the theme “Lagos Health: Driving Innovation, Strengthening Systems, Leading Change.” The convention assembled policymakers, health professionals and development partners to review progress and chart a roadmap for future reforms.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat said the state’s remarkable transformation in healthcare over the last six years reflects a combination of humility and ambition, saying,“We promised to build a health system that is accessible, affordable, and innovative, that commitment remains firm”.
The Governor emphasized that digital tools like electronic medical records and the Lagos Smart Health Information Platform (SHIP) have modernized service delivery and data management across the state’s health ecosystem. This was effectively utilized during the covid 19 pandemic to savage the situation.
Speaking on the future of healthcare financing, Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed that mandatory health insurance remains central to achieving universal health coverage, explaining that the ILERA EKO scheme and the Executive Order signed in July 2024 making insurance mandatory for all residents, are vital to protecting Lagosians from financial hardship.
Sanwo-Olu concluded by outlining four key priorities for the next phase of reforms — completing ongoing flagship projects, deepening digital transformation through artificial intelligence and real-time surveillance, achieving universal health coverage, and investing in people and partnerships.
In his technical presentation titled “Bricks and Bytes: Infrastructure Transformation of Lagos Healthcare,” the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi gave a detailed overview of the state’s plan to modernize health facilities and digitize service delivery across Lagos.
Abayomi further disclosed plans for the establishment of a University of Medicine and Health Sciences to address the shortage of healthcare professionals, as well as LASMISO; the Lagos State Medical Industries and Innovation Centre to promote biomedical manufacturing and research within the state.
