The Lagos State Government has declared that health planning will no longer operate in isolation of budget realities, insisting that aligning strategy with available resources is the only path to achieving sustainable outcomes.
Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, stated this in Ikeja during the Top Management Committee Meeting on the 2026 Annual Operational Plan (AOP).
He emphasised that health planning in Lagos must integrate international directives, federal priorities, and local realities.
“Our action plan for 2026/2027 must consider what is happening internationally, nationally, and locally before arriving at something concrete,” he said.
Prof. Abayomi warned against disconnecting planning from budget provisions.
“You cannot have your budget not speaking to your plan. If you don’t align your budget with your plan, you are essentially planning to fail,” he declared.
On manpower, the Commissioner announced progress on the proposed Lagos State University of Medicine and Health Sciences, designed to expand the state’s pool of healthcare workers, retain talent, and attract diaspora professionals.
“Lagos should never be a state where you complain of shortage of healthcare professionals,” he stressed.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, described the AOP process as pivotal for strengthening the health system. She called on leaders across the ministry to maximise efficiency despite limited fiscal space.
“Most times, the federal aligns with Lagos, not the other way round, because of the scale and complexity of our health system,” she observed.
She further reiterated the need for private sector partnerships and digital tools, including the Smart Health Information Platform (SHIP) and the HOPE initiative, to remain at the core of delivery.
“If you do not understand what HOPE entails, then you are missing the Governor’s vision. Your little bit matters, and collectively it makes the difference,” she added.
Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, urged health leaders to abandon the culture of recycling past budgets and adopt evidence-driven strategies.
“Instead of spreading limited funds across a long list of activities, we should focus on fewer projects that deliver consistent and sustainable impact. A plan is only useful when it translates into measurable outcomes,” he said.