Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has said the future of healthcare delivery in the state will depend not only on modern hospitals and advanced technology but, more importantly, on sustained investment in healthcare professionals.

Speaking during a fireside chat at the 2026 Eko Health Convention, themed “Building a Healthier Lagos: Connection, Access and Excellence,” held at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Hamzat reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to strengthening the health sector through workforce development, improved access to care and strategic partnerships.

He stressed that providing quality healthcare for Lagos’ rapidly growing population requires a well-trained, adequately equipped and highly motivated workforce capable of meeting the increasing demand for medical services.

According to him, the state has a responsibility not only to expand healthcare infrastructure but also to continuously build the capacity of doctors, nurses and other frontline professionals whose expertise remains the backbone of an effective health system.

Hamzat explained that the establishment and expansion of Maternal and Child Care Centres (MCCs) across Lagos were designed to bring specialised maternal and paediatric services closer to communities, reduce pressure on tertiary hospitals and improve health outcomes for women and children.

The Deputy Governor also identified decentralisation as a critical pillar of the state’s development strategy, noting that bringing essential services closer to residents enables government to respond more effectively to community needs, generate more accurate data and deliver better public services.

“Decentralising has made the health system better. The goal is to ensure government structures administer services more efficiently while improving the welfare of the people. By bringing maternal and child healthcare closer to communities, we can better monitor maternal mortality and achieve improved health outcomes,” he said.

Hamzat paid tribute to healthcare workers for their courage and sacrifice during the COVID-19 pandemic, describing their dedication as instrumental to Lagos’ successful response to one of the most significant public health emergencies in recent history.

He described the Eko Health Convention as an important platform for fostering collaboration among government institutions, healthcare professionals, the private sector and development partners, stressing that only collective action and sustained investment can build a resilient healthcare system capable of meeting the needs of millions of Lagos residents.