The Health Commissioner of Lagos State, Prof. Akin Abayomi, underscored the government’s commitment to making Lagos a premier hub for medical tourism in Nigeria and West Africa.
During the World Patient Safety Day event organized by the Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency, Abayomi emphasized the state’s continuous endeavors to enhance the healthcare delivery system’s safety and efficiency through innovation and technology.
At the event themed ‘Improving Diagnosis for Patient Safety: Enhancing Diagnostic Accuracy Through Technology and Innovation,’ held in Lagos, Abayomi expressed enthusiasm about the focus on improving diagnostic precision to ensure better patient outcomes.
He mentioned Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s directive to achieve ambitious goals regarding universal healthcare coverage in Lagos and positioning the state as a leading destination for medical tourism in Nigeria, West Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Abayomi pointed out the significance of empathy in healthcare interactions, emphasizing that establishing a compassionate and trusting relationship with patients is crucial for accurate diagnosis. Dr. Abiola Idowu, the Executive Secretary of HEFAMAA, stressed the importance of patient protection as the cornerstone of any healthcare system.
She urged healthcare professionals to embrace transparency and accountability by acknowledging and rectifying diagnostic errors to prevent future occurrences.
Idowu also emphasized the pivotal role of patients in the diagnostic process, encouraging healthcare providers to empower patients to ask questions and seek second opinions when needed.
“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 stated.
Idowu cited the World Health Organisation’s statistics, highlighting, “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, further emphasized the theme of the event reflected a crucial aspect of healthcare delivery that must be continuously improved for accurate diagnosis.
She highlighted , “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.”
Oba Omogbolahan Lawal, the Oniru of Iru Land, praised HEFAMAA’s efforts, highlighting the crucial need for effective patient safety measures and ongoing education.
