Sanwo-Olu expands Healthcare Access, signs Health Insurance Order

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to achieving universal health coverage, announcing the signing of an Executive Order that makes health insurance mandatory for all residents of the state.

Speaking at the maiden edition of the Eko Health Convention 2025 held at Jewel Aeida, Lekki, and themed “Lagos Health: Driving Innovation, Strengthening Systems, Leading Change,” the Governor, represented by his deputy, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, said the move aligns with the National Health Insurance Act and aims to ensure that every Lagosian contributes according to their capacity while enjoying protection during medical need.

“When we launched the Ilera Eko Health Insurance Scheme in February 2021, we made it clear that universal coverage requires a reliable and inclusive system,” Sanwo-Olu said.

“Without a shared pool of resources, universal healthcare is impossible. When everyone participates, we protect families from financial hardship, strengthen hospitals, and make healthcare stable and equitable for all,” he said.

The Governor emphasised that effective insurance must be supported by a robust emergency response system.

Through the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), he noted, the government has strengthened emergency medical operations with rapid-response systems designed to save lives.

“These measures reaffirm our conviction that emergency care must be a right, not a privilege,” he said.

“Lagos now boasts 360 public health facilities and over 3,500 private ones, forming a unified ecosystem where both sectors work together to ensure that every resident has access to quality healthcare.”

Sanwo-Olu also called on health stakeholders to invest more in innovation, technology, and service delivery, urging Lagosians to adopt healthy lifestyles, enrol in health insurance, and take responsibility for their wellbeing.

Since assuming office, the Governor said, his administration has placed Health and Environment at the centre of its THEMES development agenda, recording major milestones such as the commissioning of new Maternal and Child Centres in Eti-Osa, Badagry, and Epe; expansion of General Hospitals; and the construction of key facilities including the New Massey Street Specialist Children’s Hospital, Ojo General Hospital, Lagos State Mental Health Institute in Ketu-Ejirin, and the Cardio-Renal Centre in Gbagada.

Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, described the new Lagos Health Blueprint as a transformative plan to make the state Africa’s health powerhouse.

He said Lagos currently loses an estimated $1.5 billion annually to outbound medical tourism, a figure higher than the state’s health budget, but the new reforms will reduce such capital flight.

He explained that the blueprint features climate-resilient hospitals, a 500-bed psychiatric and rehabilitation centre, and the establishment of the Lagos State University of Medicine and Health Science.

It also includes the Smart Health Information Platform (SHIP), a digital network linking public hospitals and primary health centres for real-time data sharing and policy decision-making.

“Our goal is clear,” Abayomi stated. “Lagos must become the health capital of sub-Saharan Africa — not just for Nigerians, but for the continent.”

In her remarks, the Special Adviser on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, stressed that collaboration through Public-Private Partnerships remains vital to achieving the state’s goal of quality, affordable healthcare for all residents.

“Our vision is to empower citizens to take full control of their health and wellbeing,” she said. “Government cannot do it alone; we must all work together to make healthcare accessible and sustainable for every Lagosian.”