Lagos State has unveiled what it calls a revolutionary transformation in its health care system.

The government cited bold investments in digital innovation, medical education, infrastructure and health access as key achievements.

These efforts form the foundation of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s six-year legacy in the health sector, aimed at strengthening health care delivery and improving the lives of millions of residents.

At the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing held in Lagos, Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, described the progress as “radical” and far-reaching.

He highlighted key initiatives such as the launch of the Lagos Smart Health Information Platform (SHIP), establishment of a medical university and investments in modern health care infrastructure.

According to Prof. Abayomi, these efforts are positioning Lagos as a hub for medical tourism and a model for achieving universal health coverage in sub-Saharan Africa.

Among the most groundbreaking initiatives is the introduction of SHIP — a state-wide digital ecosystem designed to unify patient records, emergency services, referrals and hospital communications.

“This platform is the heartbeat of our digital health revolution,” said Abayomi. “With SHIP, the era of ambulances driving from one hospital to another in search of beds is coming to an end. We are replacing chaos with coordination.”

Currently at stage seven of its rollout, SHIP will eventually cover private facilities, making Lagos the first Nigerian state to implement a unified health information network.

In a move to address the shortage of medical professionals, Lagos is establishing the University of Medicine and Health Sciences (UMH), which will train up to 1,000 doctors annually.

“With only 7,000 doctors serving nearly 30 million people, we are far below the World Health Organisation’s recommendation,” Abayomi said.

“This university is part of our aggressive workforce development strategy. The legislation is nearly complete, and construction is underway.”

Prof. Abayomi also announced significant investments in Greenfield and Brownfield projects aimed at creating energy-efficient and climate-resilient facilities.

“We’re not just building hospitals; we are building future-proof, smart health centres. From Gbagada to Yaba, the infrastructure under development will serve generations,” he said.

Currently, only five per cent of Lagosians are enrolled in health insurance schemes. The state government aims to change that within the next two decades.

“We are determined to achieve universal health coverage,” said the commissioner. “But we must also increase our health budget from the current eight per cent to at least 15 per cent.”

Lagos boasts the lowest maternal mortality rate in Nigeria, 430 deaths per 100,000 live births, but Prof. Abayomi says this is still too high.

“We have declared zero tolerance for preventable maternal deaths. Our target is to reduce this to 37 per 100,000 within two to three decades,” he said.

On malaria, Lagos has recorded a low prevalence rate of 2.6 per cent, placing it close to pre-elimination status.

“With strong political will and community involvement, malaria can become history in Lagos,” Abayomi declared.

The state also reported progress in tackling other health threats. Over 19,000 tuberculosis cases were recorded, including 288 drug-resistant ones. HIV, viral hepatitis and cancer are being addressed through improved diagnostics and expanded screening.

“Prevention is the foundation,” said Abayomi. “We are testing more people, offering free screenings for hypertension and diabetes, and strengthening our infectious disease response.”

The commissioner praised the roles of regulatory bodies such as Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA), Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS) and Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board (LSTMB).

“We are ensuring every pint of blood is safe, and traditional medicine is being standardised,” he said.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, praised the media for their role in spotlighting government efforts and urged responsible reporting.

“Health is wealth, and the work being done under Governor Sanwo-Olu is proof of serious investment in the well-being of Lagosians,” he said.

He cautioned against misinformation, stressing: “The people deserve accurate information. Let’s not allow disinformation to distort our development story.”

Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, said: “We are already seeing interest from Nigerian doctors abroad who want to return. Our Public-Private Partnership framework is ready to receive them.”

She emphasised accountability, noting that service charges at public health facilities were being published to prevent unauthorised billing. “We act immediately when issues are reported.”