Lagos reaffirms evidence-based healthcare reforms; mandatory health insurance set for January 1, 2027

The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to evidence-based healthcare reforms at a stakeholder validation workshop held on Tuesday, November 3, at the Ministry of Health in Alausa, Ikeja. The workshop reviewed findings from a decade-long assessment of the state's health sector between 2013 and 2023, under the Nigeria Health System Exemplar Analysis for Action Project, aimed at improving policy decisions, resource allocation and healthcare delivery. Commissioner for Health Prof. Akin Abayomi said Lagos required proactive healthcare planning because of its population, economic importance and high volume of human traffic. (Cover photo is a file photo of Lagos.)

Smart health platform about 40% through phase one; mandatory insurance from January 1

Abayomi disclosed that the state was implementing the Lagos State Smart Health Information Platform (SHIP), a digital health initiative launched in 2019, which was about 40% through its first phase covering government-owned health facilities. He identified mandatory health insurance as another major component of the state's healthcare transformation agenda, disclosing that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had granted a three-month moratorium to prepare for its implementation. The policy was expected to commence on January 1, 2027, he said, adding that increased public awareness would be necessary to ensure effective implementation.

Decade assessment: budget up more than fourfold, execution at 98.7%

According to the findings presented at the workshop, Lagos' health budget increased more than fourfold between 2013 and 2024, while budget execution improved from 51.8% in 2016 to 98.7% in 2024. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, described the workshop as a critical stage in the project, following the completion of data collection and fieldwork covering the 10-year assessment period. She added that the exercise would prepare the state's findings for the Joint Annual Review scheduled to hold in Abuja from November 10 to 12, 2026.