Ola Akinwunmi
In a bold declaration during a recent media briefing celebrating the second anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term, the Lagos State Government announced that over 135,000 residents are currently living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, provided the figures and detailed a series of comprehensive health initiatives aimed at tackling not only HIV but also other burgeoning public health issues in the nation’s most populous state.
A Stark Revelation“135,224 residents are living with HIV,” Commissioner Abayomi confirmed. The disclosure underscored a significant challenge for Lagos – a metropolis grappling with rapid urbanization and a multifaceted public health landscape. The commissioner emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue, describing it as part of a broader strategy to enhance public health awareness and intervention.Harnessing Community Trust for Health AwarenessA key component of the state’s strategy involves harnessing the influential voices of religious leaders.
More than 100 faith leaders have been enlisted as HIV and AIDS ambassadors. “We are using trusted voices to drive education, testing, and treatment in our communities,” Abayomi explained. This collaborative approach is expected to reduce stigma associated with HIV, improve community outreach, and encourage residents to seek timely testing and treatment.In addition to its focus on HIV, Lagos State is aggressively addressing other critical health challenges:
Free cervical cancer screenings have been provided to 154,228 women, with 8,613 women receiving thermal ablation treatment. Prostate cancer screenings were also conducted. The state conducted hypertension and diabetes screenings for a whopping 312,927 people. The commissioner highlighted that in a population of 30 million, an estimated 20% have hypertension—with 70% of them remaining unaware of their condition. Similarly, Lagos records a 12% obesity rate and a 6% diabetes prevalence, with half of those affected being unaware of their illness.However, the health drive faces a significant bottleneck: a shortage of medical personnel.
With only 7,000 doctors currently in the state, there is an acute need for an additional 33,000 doctors and an equal number of nurses to properly manage healthcare demands. In response to this gap, the Lagos State University of Medicine and Health is poised to begin graduating 2,500 healthcare workers annually over the next five years. This influx of new professionals, which includes doctors, nurses, and laboratory scientists, is expected to gradually bridge the staffing divide.Boosting Health Insurance Coverage and Infrastructure ExpansionAnother pressing concern is the low uptake of the state’s health insurance policy.
Currently, merely 4.17% of registered residents—about 1.25 million people—are enrolled. Commissioner Abayomi, however, remains optimistic that the newly enacted mandatory health insurance law will accelerate enrolment and boost funding for health services.
Furthermore, major health infrastructure projects are nearing completion. Projects such as the New Massey Street Children’s Hospital, the Ojo General Hospital, and the Mental Health Institute in Epe are scheduled to be commissioned by April 2026, promising to significantly enhance healthcare delivery across the state.
Moving ForwardLagos State’s multi-pronged approach reflects an urgent commitment to address its diverse health challenges. By engaging community leaders, expanding screening services, investing in infrastructure, and planning for a more robust healthcare workforce, the state government aims to create a healthier, more informed community ready to combat the threats posed by HIV and other non-communicable diseases.
As Lagos navigates these complex challenges, the integration of public health strategies with community engagement stands as a testament to the state’s readiness to tackle health crises with resilience and innovation.
