Lagos State Government Enhances Healthcare Infrastructure with New Hospitals
The Lagos State Government is making significant strides towards improving healthcare access with the upcoming opening of Ojo and Ejirin General Hospitals slated for the next six months. This initiative reflects the administration’s commitment to upgrading healthcare infrastructure and delivering quality service to residents.
During a recent Ministerial Press Briefing held at Alausa, Ikeja, Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, unveiled the ambitious plans while highlighting the Ministry of Health’s performance. “Ojo General Hospital aims to alleviate the pressure on Igando and Iba General Hospitals, which often exceed their capacity,” remarked Abayomi, emphasizing the urgency of these projects.
This development is part of a broader strategy under Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration, focused on creating sustainable and modern healthcare facilities. The new 150-bed New Massey Children’s Hospital is among the flagship projects, designed specifically for providing specialized pediatric care in a dedicated environment.
In tandem with the infrastructure upgrades, the state is also implementing the Smart Health Information Platform (SHIP). This innovative system seeks to digitize health records, providing real-time access to patient data across all state hospitals. “We’re establishing a streamlined health information system that allows patients to access their medical records seamlessly across our facilities,” Prof. Abayomi shared, highlighting this initiative as a key aspect of Lagos’ digital health transformation strategy.
Addressing the challenge of healthcare staffing, Abayomi noted that Lagos currently has around 7,000 doctors, while the demand stands at approximately 41,000. To bridge this gap, efforts are underway to expand admissions in state medical colleges and enhance local training capacities. “We are committed to building a robust pipeline of medical professionals to meet the rising healthcare demands of our population,” he stated.
Additionally, plans are in motion for the Lagos State Comprehensive Cancer Diagnostic Center, a major public-private partnership project set to launch this May.
Dr. Olukemi Ogunyemi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, emphasized the administration’s goal of ensuring that every resident has access to high-quality healthcare, regardless of their location in the sprawling metropolis of Lagos. “We are tirelessly working to provide consistent and superior health services throughout the state,” she affirmed.
The Ministry of Health, which boasts a workforce of 18,000—making it the largest in Lagos—continues to emphasize the need for upskilling and retention strategies to combat the brain drain. “We are not just addressing the loss of talent; we aim for a brain gain by equipping our healthcare professionals with the necessary skills to deliver world-class healthcare right here in Lagos,” Prof. Abayomi concluded.
With these initiatives, Lagos State is poised to enhance its healthcare landscape, ensuring that residents not only receive timely and effective medical treatment but also benefit from a more efficient and integrated health system in the future.
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