Lagos reaffirms commitment to patient safety for children

Lagos reaffirms commitment to patient safety for children, pledging stronger healthcare systems and safer care for newborns

The commitment was renewed during a symposium marking the 2025 World Patient Safety Day, themed “Safe Care for Every Newborn and Every Child”, organised by the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA).

Also read: WHO pledges support for Lagos healthcare reforms

Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, described the theme as central to Lagos’ duty to protect its most vulnerable citizens.

She noted that the year’s slogan, “Patient Safety from the Start”, aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ agenda, which prioritises healthcare reforms, life-saving interventions, and the dignity of children from birth.

Ogunyemi warned that millions of children worldwide still suffer preventable harm due to unsafe practices, weak systems, or lack of resources.

Lagos, she said, is determined to close these gaps through stronger regulation and broader access to safe healthcare.

“This is not only about medical procedures but about building a culture of safety in every facility,” she said.

“It is about empowering providers, giving families confidence, and ensuring every child is protected from birth through safe hospital environments and timely access to life-saving care.”

Permanent Secretary of HEFAMAA, Dr Abiola Idowu, stressed that newborns face the highest risk of death on the first day of life.

She said patient safety begins with maternal care and extends beyond hospitals to communities and households.

“Newborns are particularly vulnerable, and we are urging healthcare workers to embed safety practices into every stage of care,” Idowu said.

She added that HEFAMAA regularly inspects facilities to enforce compliance and ensure care meets global standards.

On workforce challenges, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr Olusegun Ogboye, acknowledged the pressures caused by medical professionals migrating abroad.

He said Lagos is addressing local push factors by improving staff welfare, building accommodation in new facilities, and expanding residency programmes.

Ogboye revealed plans for a University of Medicine and Health Sciences to more than double the state’s training capacity and reduce reliance on foreign-trained professionals.

He also welcomed the return of specialists through what he termed the “Japada movement”, as doctors who left Nigeria come back with skills and experience gained abroad.

“Regulation and monitoring remain central to our approach,” Ogboye said. “Our aim is simple: every patient who enters our hospitals should leave healthier than when they came in.”

World Patient Safety Day, observed annually on 17 September, highlights the urgent need to reduce harm in healthcare delivery.

This year’s focus on newborns and children underscores the importance of safeguarding lives from the very beginning.