Lagos State Champions Africa’s Health Security: Experts Advocate for Increased Investment and Public Engagement at One Health Conference

• Fashola, Abayomi Unveil Strategic Plans to Address Health System Gaps

On the second day of the 10th African Conference on One Health and Biosecurity, prominent figures, including former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, Health Commissioner Professor Akin Abayomi, and GET Consortium Chief Operating Officer Dr. Ayodotun Bobadoye, emphasized the urgent need to strengthen Africa’s health systems. Focusing on biosecurity and emerging disease threats, the leaders called for immediate public awareness initiatives and robust structural reforms across Lagos and the continent.

Speaking to a packed audience at the Oriental Hotel in Lekki, Lagos, Mr. Fashola highlighted the lessons from Lagos State’s response to the Ebola outbreak. “The emergence of Ebola in an urban environment was unprecedented,” he noted, stressing that pandemics are an ongoing reality. “Antimicrobial resistance is a growing threat, with antibiotics losing their effectiveness. This is a matter of pressing concern, with real and immediate consequences,” he warned.

Fashola also advocated for greater public understanding of biosecurity. “Healthcare is more than doctors and hospital beds—it encompasses pharmacology, sanitation, and infrastructure,” he said. He urged strict enforcement of sanitation regulations, noting that issues like open defecation pose significant public health risks. He called for investments in educational tools, such as documentaries, to inform the public about biosecurity challenges. “Storytelling can play a pivotal role in building understanding. A documentary on Lagos’ battle against Ebola and COVID-19 could inspire and inform future generations,” he suggested.

Professor Abayomi outlined Lagos State’s ongoing health initiatives under the Lagos Development Plan 2052. “We aim to scale up healthcare personnel training, increasing annual admissions from 100 to 1,000,” he said. The plan also focuses on public-private partnerships to bolster primary healthcare delivery. “The private sector’s involvement is essential to meet Lagos’ healthcare needs,” he emphasized, advocating for local investments to reduce medical tourism.

Providing a comprehensive overview of the state’s healthcare resources, Abayomi highlighted the 1,800 private facilities, 31 secondary public hospitals, five tertiary institutions, and 326 primary healthcare centers currently serving Lagos’ population. “With over 12.5 million people accessing care in Lagos each year, we face significant bed shortages. A combined public and private approach is necessary to address this gap,” he stated. He also called attention to the $1.5 billion Nigerians spend on overseas medical treatment, noting that Lagos’ healthcare advancements aim to reverse this trend and make the city a leading healthcare hub in Africa.

Dr. Ayodotun Bobadoye of GET Consortium spoke on the Lagos State Biosecurity Policy, designed to protect human, animal, and environmental health. “Biosecurity encompasses risks to human, animal, and plant life, and laboratory security is increasingly important as global threats evolve,” Bobadoye explained. Highlighting the unique challenges of Lagos’ high population density and urban conditions, he said, “Lagos faces distinct risks, from waterborne diseases to infectious pathogens that thrive in densely populated areas.”

Bobadoye cited a recent WHO Joint External Evaluation, which rated Lagos’ biosecurity preparedness at 36%. “While Lagos is a national leader, this falls short of global standards. Adequate budgeting and cross-sectoral coordination are critical for epidemic preparedness,” he emphasized, advocating for collaboration between sectors like agriculture, health, and environment.

Outlining GET’s objectives for the new biosecurity policy, set for early next year, he said, “This policy will provide guidelines to manage biosecurity risks, prevent pathogen misuse, and foster collaboration.” He emphasized the need to strengthen laboratory capabilities and support both veterinary and public health sectors.

As the conference concluded, speakers underscored the importance of a unified approach to biosecurity, embracing the One Health model that connects human, animal, and environmental health. Fashola closed with a call for collective action: “Our resilience in health security hinges on our shared commitment to preparedness and proactive measures.”