Lagos unveils strategies to boost health workforce

By Soduq Adelakun

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, has disclosed that the state has implemented multiple strategies to improve its health workforce across all cadres.

Abayomi made this known on Wednesday during the 1st Graduation of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Caregivers Academy in Lagos.

The commissioner noted that the state’s human resources for health initiative aimed to optimise the healthcare workforce to ensure efficient, high-quality healthcare delivery across the state.

He emphasised that a well-trained, adequately staffed, and motivated healthcare workforce was essential to achieving health system goals.

Abayomi commended LASUTH for conceptualising the Caregivers Academy, which aligned with the state’s commitment to enhancing quality manpower and the well-being of citizens.

He expressed gratitude to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his continuous support to LASUTH.

The Commissioner advised the graduates to display compassion, etiquette, and care while caring for patients.

He acknowledged that caregivers were in high demand globally and advised those considering migration to send remittances to help the Nigerian economy and acquire more skills for self-development.

Also, Chief Medical Director, LASUTH, Prof. Adetokunbo Fabamwo, said the training had enhanced the employability of the graduates. He appealed to the graduands to confine themselves to their area of training, stressing that they were not nurses.

Chairman of the Health Service Commission, Dr Atinuke Onayiga, advised the graduands to uphold high standards of excellence and integrity and adapt to the changing landscape of healthcare.

Special Adviser on Health to Lagos State Governor, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, said the graduation of the caregivers was timely and would assist in boosting human resources in the state and country.