The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to becoming the leading destination for medical tourism in Nigeria and West Africa.
Speaking at the World Patient Safety Day event organized by the Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, highlighted the state’s efforts to ensure a safe and efficient healthcare system.
Themed “Improving Diagnosis for Patient Safety: Enhancing Diagnostic Accuracy Through Technology and Innovation,”, the event was held at the Civic Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Abayomi emphasized that improving diagnostic precision is critical to enhancing patient outcomes, noting that the Lagos State Government is focused on leveraging technology and innovation to achieve this goal.
“We are determined to make Lagos the number one destination for medical tourism in Nigeria, West Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa,” Abayomi said.
He added that under the mandate of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the state is working toward achieving universal healthcare coverage.
Abayomi also stressed the role of empathy in healthcare, saying, “The first step to a successful diagnosis is building trust through compassionate care, which allows patients to feel comfortable sharing crucial information.”
Executive Secretary of HEFAMAA, Dr. Abiola Idowu, emphasized that patient safety forms the foundation of a robust healthcare system. She urged healthcare professionals to promote a culture of transparency and accountability by reporting and learning from diagnostic errors to avoid future mistakes.
“HEFAMAA is committed to enforcing high standards in healthcare facilities and recognizing those that meet the required infrastructure, equipment, and procedural guidelines,” Idowu added.
She also cited World Health Organization statistics, which reveal that 20% to 40% of healthcare spending is wasted due to misdiagnosis, with 1 in 15 patients suffering harm from the care they receive.
Special Adviser to the Lagos State Government on Health, Kemi Ogunyemi, reiterated the state’s investment in modern healthcare infrastructure, including diagnostic laboratories and radiology services, to ensure accurate diagnosis.
She also noted the importance of ongoing training for healthcare workers to enhance their diagnostic skills.
The Oniru of Iru Land, Oba Omogbolahan Lawal, praised HEFAMAA’s efforts and highlighted the need for continuous patient safety measures and education within the healthcare system.
