More than 135,000 people in Lagos State are currently living with HIV, according to the Lagos State Government.
The Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, shared this during a press briefing. The event marked the second anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term.
“135,224 residents are living with HIV,” Abayomi said.
Faith Leaders Join Fight Against HIV
To help reduce stigma and spread awareness, the state has brought in over 100 religious leaders to act as HIV and AIDS ambassadors.
“We are using trusted voices to support education, testing, and treatment in our communities,” the commissioner explained.
This move is helping to reach more people, especially in places where health topics are still sensitive.
More Health Issues Facing Lagos
The state is also tackling other major health concerns. Here are some key updates:
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154,228 women received free cervical cancer screenings
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8,613 women were treated with thermal ablation
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300 men were screened for prostate cancer
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312,927 people were screened for hypertension and diabetes
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20% of the population may have high blood pressure, and 70% don’t know it
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12% are obese, and 6% have diabetes, with 50% unaware they have it
Lagos Needs More Doctors and Nurses
Abayomi also warned that Lagos is facing a serious shortage of health workers.
“We have only 7,000 doctors,” he said. “But we need 33,000 more doctors and 33,000 more nurses.”
To fix this, the Lagos State University of Medicine and Health plans to train 2,500 healthcare workers each year for the next five years.
Health Insurance Is Still Low
Only 4.17% of Lagos residents, about 1.25 million people, have signed up for the state’s health insurance.
The new mandatory health insurance law is expected to help increase enrollment and healthcare funding.
“This new law will help us build a stronger health system,” Abayomi said.
New Hospitals Coming Soon
Lagos is building new hospitals to improve access to care. These include:
These projects are expected to be ready by April 2026.
