Lagos to become W’Africa’s medical tourism hub –Commissioner

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, has reaffirmed the state’s commitment to becoming a top destination for medical tourism in Nigeria and West Africa.

Speaking at the Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency’s World Patient Safety Day event on Wednesday, Abayomi stressed the Lagos State Government’s ongoing efforts to ensure a safe and effective healthcare delivery system.

He noted that this included bold steps aimed at improving the health sector through innovation and technology.

The event, which focused on the theme: ‘Improving Diagnosis for Patient Safety: Enhancing Diagnostic Accuracy Through Technology and Innovation,’ was held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Abayomi expressed excitement about the thematic focus, stressing that enhancing diagnostic precision was key to ensuring better patient outcomes.

“We have a mandate from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to meet ambitious targets. These include establishing universal healthcare coverage in this mega city and making Lagos the number one destination for medical tourism in Nigeria, West Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa,” Abayomi said.

He highlighted the importance of empathy in healthcare, stating, “As doctors, we know that globally, the first step is empathy. The compassionate interaction with your patient sets the tone for a trusting relationship, where patients feel safe to share sensitive information. This trust is crucial in establishing an accurate diagnosis.”

In her address, the Executive Secretary of HEFAMAA, Dr Abiola Idowu, stressed that patients’ protection was the foundation of any healthcare system.

She urged healthcare professionals to adopt a culture of transparency and accountability by acknowledging and reporting diagnostic errors and learning from them to prevent recurrence.

Idowu further highlighted the critical role patients play in the diagnostic process, encouraging healthcare providers to support patients in asking questions and seeking second opinions when necessary.

“HEFAMAA is committed to ensuring that healthcare facilities meet the highest standards of diagnostic accuracy and safety by setting and enforcing minimum standards.

“We recognise both public and private facilities that have met the set standards in infrastructure, equipment, and protocol use as part of our efforts to measure and encourage healthcare quality,” she said.

Idowu cited the World Health Organisation’s statistics, stating, “For every dollar spent, 20 per cent to 40 per cent is wasted due to misdiagnosis, and 1 in 15 patients suffers harm from the care they receive. It is high time we put all efforts into improving diagnostic accuracy.”

The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Government on Health, Kemi Ogunyemi, also said the theme of the event reflected a crucial aspect of healthcare delivery that must be continuously improved for accurate diagnosis.

She said, “Our approach is multipronged. We are investing in health infrastructure by equipping diagnostic laboratories, radiology services, and primary healthcare centres with modern technology and tools to support accurate diagnoses.

“We’re also enhancing training for healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists, and allied health workers, to sharpen their diagnostic skills and ensure that the latest medical knowledge and protocols guide every patient interaction.”

The Oniru of Iru Land, Oba Omogbolahan Lawal, commended HEFAMAA’s initiatives, underscoring the importance of robust mechanisms for patient safety and continuous education.