Lagos unveils 10-years primary healthcare financing plan, seeks accurate health data reporting

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

The Lagos State Government has unveiled a 10-year financial sustainability framework aimed at strengthening primary healthcare delivery across the state, even as it intensified efforts to improve accountability and data integrity within the health sector.

According to a statement made available to journalists on Sunday by the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCB), the framework, tagged “Lagos State Primary Health Care Compact 2026,” was officially signed on Wednesday, May 6, during a two-day retreat on Primary Health Care Financing held at Lakowe.

The statement described the agreement as a landmark collaboration between the state government, the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs), and the 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) aimed at ensuring sustainable healthcare financing and improved service delivery across Lagos State.

The retreat was organised by the LSPHCB in conjunction with Conference 57, the World Bank-funded IMPACT Programme, Engender and other development partners.

Representing the state government at the signing ceremony were the Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Kemi Ogunyemi; and the Permanent Secretary of the LSPHCB, Ibrahim Akinwunmi Mustafa.

The board stated that the compact would provide a long-term framework for sustainable healthcare financing, stronger intergovernmental collaboration and improved access to quality primary healthcare services for residents.

It added that the initiative aligns with the Lagos State Government’s THEMES Plus Agenda and the Lagos State Development Plan 2052, both of which prioritise healthcare as a major pillar for social development and improved quality of life.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government, through Health District III, on Friday, May 8, urged Medical Officers of Health (MOHs) to embrace routine data verification to strengthen accountability and improve healthcare planning across the state.

Speaking during the Quarterly Data Review Meeting held at the district headquarters in Ikoyi, the Permanent Secretary, Health District III, Monsurat Adeleke, stressed that all figures submitted by health facilities must reflect actual service delivery.

“The Government is not interested in impressive numbers on paper but in real impact within the communities,” Adeleke said.

She warned that false data could affect planning, vaccine allocation, funding decisions and outreach strategies, adding that inaccurate reporting could ultimately put lives at risk.

According to her, the state has introduced a web-based reporting application to improve accountability, transparency, real-time reporting and performance monitoring across healthcare facilities.

Adeleke also reminded health officers that weekly facility coverage data must be submitted to the district by 8:00 p.m. every Thursday to aid timely review and decision-making.

“Together, we can improve immunisation coverage, strengthen maternal and child health services, restore confidence in our reporting systems and ultimately improve health outcomes for the people of Lagos State,” she added.

The meeting also featured presentations by the Head of Health Information Management, Mrs. Bolaji Simbo, and Pharm. Damola Adaramoye of the Pharmaceutical Services Department on healthcare performance indicators and the consumption pattern of essential health commodities across Ibeju-Lekki, Epe and Eti-Osa LGAs.