By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
Accept
Okay.ngOkay.ngOkay.ng
Font ResizerAa
  • News
    • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Business & Economy
  • Sport
  • Tech
Reading: Lagos Grapples with Healthcare Worker Shortage Amidst Infrastructure Push
Share
Font ResizerAa
Okay.ngOkay.ng
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Business & Economy
  • Sport
  • Tech
Search
  • News
    • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Business & Economy
  • Sport
  • Tech
Follow US
  • About Okay.ng
  • Advertising on Okay.ng
  • Contact Okay.ng
  • Careers
  • Meet the Team behind Okay.ng
  • Ownership and Funding of Okay.ng
  • Editorial Principles at Okay.ng
© OKN MEDIA PUBLISHING 2022 - All rights reserved
News

Lagos Grapples with Healthcare Worker Shortage Amidst Infrastructure Push

Genesis Obong
By Genesis Obong
Published: April 24, 2025
Share
5 Min Read
SHARE

The Lagos State Government has announced a critical shortage of medical professionals, requiring an additional 33,000 doctors and 33,000 nurses to adequately serve its burgeoning population. The disclosure was made yesterday by the State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, during a media briefing marking the second anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.

According to Prof. Abayomi, while the state currently has 7,000 doctors, the existing workforce falls drastically short of the required numbers to cater to the healthcare needs of Lagos’s vast populace. This significant deficit underscores the challenges faced by the state in delivering quality and accessible medical care to all its residents.

“We currently have 7,000 doctors in Lagos State, but the reality is we need an additional 33,000 to meet the healthcare demands of our population,” Prof. Abayomi stated. The need for a similar number of nurses further compounds the urgency of addressing this human resource gap within the state’s health sector.

In response to this pressing issue, the state government is pinning its hopes on the newly established Lagos State University of Medicine and Health (UMH) as a long-term solution. Prof. Abayomi expressed optimism that the institution would significantly boost the healthcare workforce within the next five years. “Within five years, UMH will produce about 2,500 healthcare workers yearly in Lagos State. Other cadres will include laboratory scientists,” he affirmed, signaling a strategic investment in local capacity building.

- Advertisement -

The Commissioner also provided updates on the adoption of the state’s health insurance policy, noting that 1,252,959 residents, representing a mere 4.17 per cent of the registered population, have enrolled with the state health insurance agency. Currently, 419 health facilities are empanelled to provide services under the scheme. Despite the relatively low uptake, Prof. Abayomi voiced confidence that the recently enacted mandatory nature of the state health insurance act would lead to a substantial increase in the scheme’s funding pool, thereby enhancing its capacity to provide broader coverage.

Simultaneously, the Lagos State Government is making significant strides in expanding its healthcare infrastructure. Prof. Abayomi reported substantial progress on several key projects, including the New Massey Street 150-bed Children’s Specialist Referral Hospital on Lagos Island, which is 70 per cent complete. Additionally, the 280-bed Ojo General Hospital and Staff Quarters in Iba, Ojo, has reached 75 per cent completion, while the Mental Health Institute in Epe is 65 per cent complete. He assured that all three critical health facilities are on track for commissioning by April 2026, promising a significant boost to the state’s capacity to handle specialized medical needs.

Beyond infrastructure and workforce development, Prof. Abayomi also addressed the prevalence of various health conditions in the state. He revealed that approximately 135,224 residents are living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and the government has engaged over 100 religious leaders as HIV and AIDS ambassadors to enhance awareness and reduce stigma. Furthermore, the state has provided free cervical cancer screenings for 154,228 patients and treatment for 8,613 individuals using thermal ablation. Prostate cancer screenings have also been conducted for 300 men.

Read Also: Lagos Battles Diphtheria Outbreak: 10 Cases Confirmed, Urgent Action Underway

- Advertisement -

The Commissioner further highlighted the concerning statistics related to non-communicable diseases, stating that 312,927 persons have been screened for hypertension and diabetes. In a state with an estimated population of 30 million, the prevalence of hypertension is around 20 per cent, with a staggering 70 per cent of those affected being unaware of their condition. Similarly, the obesity prevalence stands at 12 per cent, and diabetes at six per cent, with 50 per cent of individuals with diabetes unaware of their status.

These figures underscore the dual challenge facing Lagos State: not only does it need more healthcare professionals and facilities, but also a more robust public health strategy to address both infectious and non-communicable diseases within its rapidly growing population. The government’s commitment to expanding UMH and its ongoing infrastructure projects offer a glimmer of hope in tackling the critical healthcare worker shortage and improving access to medical services for all Lagosians.

Stay Updated on the Go with Our Latest News—Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!
TAGGED:cancer screeningDiabetesdoctor shortageHealth InsuranceHIV/AIDShospital constructionHypertensionLagos healthcareLagos State Governmentnurse shortageProf. Akin AbayomiPublic Health
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp Telegram Email Copy Link Print
ByGenesis Obong
Follow:
Genesis Obong is a Journalist with relevant experience in Business, Finance and Economic matters in Nigeria and across the West African space.
Previous Article Nigeria Debt, Bond Auction FG Scales Back Borrowing Plans, Targets N900bn-N1.2tn in Q2 Bonds Amid Fiscal Strain
Next Article Revitalizing Nigeria’s Waters: House Committee Pledges Support for Maritime Law Modernization and Indigenous Ownership

Connect with Okay on Social

FacebookLike
XFollow
InstagramFollow
TelegramFollow

Dollar/Naira Rates

Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate

Okay.ng Logo
Buy Rate ₦1,605.00
Sell Rate ₦1,620.00

Last updated: 4 days ago (June 3, 2025 2:33 pm)

Displayed rates are for informational purposes only and are subject to change.

USD/NGN Converter

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

Recent Posts

Super Eagles Rally to Draw Against Russia in International Friendly
Sport
Manchester United Raises Annual Core Profit Forecast to Between £180m and £190m After Europa League Boost
Sport
Ange Postecoglou
Tottenham Hotspur Part Ways with Ange Postecoglou Despite Europa League Glory
Sport
Dangote Names Main Refinery Access Road “Bola Ahmed Tinubu Road” in Honor of President
News
L-R: Ify Okoye, Digital Creator; Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, Actress; Stella Erebor, Head Internal Audit, Nigerian Communications Commission; Emanuella Samuel, Comedienne/Actress, Sylvia Musalagani, Safety Policy Manager, Africa, Middle East & Turkey (AMET), Meta, and Nicole Chikwe, founder of The Mummy Summit, during the launch of Instagram teen accounts in Lagos on Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Meta Launches Teen Accounts on Instagram in Nigeria to Enhance Online Safety for Young Users
Tech
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

You May Also Like

News

President Tinubu and Top Officials Attend Eid-el-Kabir Prayers in Lagos, Emphasize Peace and Progress

Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
June 6, 2025
International

Elon Musk’s Net Worth Plummets $34 Billion Amid Explosive Feud with Donald Trump

Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
June 6, 2025
PoliticsTop stories

BREAKING: Akwa Ibom Governor Pastor Umo Eno Defects from PDP to APC in Strategic Political Shift

Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
June 6, 2025
Okay.ngOkay.ng
Follow US
© OKN MEDIA PUBLISHING 2025 - All rights reserved
  • About Okay.ng
  • Advertising on Okay.ng
  • Contact Okay.ng
  • Careers
  • Meet the Team behind Okay.ng
  • Ownership and Funding of Okay.ng
  • Editorial Principles at Okay.ng
adbanner
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?