Lagos Strengthens Workforce Health As Folarin Coker Staff Clinic Goes Fully Digital
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide, on Tuesday toured the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic at the State Secretariat, Alausa, as part of her ongoing familiarisation visits since assuming office. The visit reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding the health and productivity of public servants.
Dr. Lajide inspected all departments and units within the clinic under the Directorate of Staff Health Services, stating that the tour was aimed at assessing firsthand the quality of care provided to civil servants and ensuring optimal service delivery.
“The purpose of this afternoon’s visit to the staff clinic is to see how well our staff are being taken care of,” she said, noting that access to the clinic was made possible for all Lagos State civil servants through the gesture of Babajide Sanwo-Olu. She added that services at the facility are free and encouraged staff to enrol in ILERA EKO, the state’s health insurance scheme.
She highlighted the wide range of services available at the clinic, including dental care, eye care, general outpatient services, physiotherapy, laboratory investigations, in-patient wards and pharmacy services. Describing the facility as comprehensive and staff-friendly, she urged workers to take full advantage of the services, stressing that productivity improves when employees enjoy good health.
The Permanent Secretary also disclosed that the clinic operates a fully paperless Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system. According to her, the transition to EMR has enhanced efficiency, confidentiality and continuity of care.
Dr. Lajide explained that minor ailments are promptly managed at the clinic, while more complex cases are seamlessly referred to the state’s general hospitals. She assured staff that the government remains deliberate and consistent in prioritising their wellbeing as a cornerstone of effective public service.
In his remarks, the Director of Staff Health Services, Dr. Abdulrasheed Kolade, said the Directorate is mandated to safeguard and promote the wellbeing of Lagos State public servants. He described the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic as a centrally located “one-stop shop” offering emergency care, oral health services, ophthalmology in collaboration with the Blindness Prevention Programme, physiotherapy, laboratory diagnostics including digital X-ray, pharmacy and ambulance services.
Kolade added that beyond clinical care, the clinic places strong emphasis on preventive and lifestyle services to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases. These include annual medical screenings, cancer screenings, nutritional counselling, health education, family planning services and the Lagos State Wellness Centre (LASWEL), which provides mental health and stress management support. “When our public servants thrive, Lagos thrives,” he said.
The visit forms part of Dr. Lajide’s structured familiarisation tour of directorates, departments and agencies under the Ministry since her redeployment to the Ministry of Health. Health workers at the clinic expressed appreciation for the visit, describing it as morale-boosting and reaffirming their commitment to delivering quality, prompt and holistic care to the state’s workforce.
