The Shift Toward Preventive Medicine

The Lagos State Government has issued a stern warning regarding the increasing congestion in secondary and tertiary hospitals, calling on residents to adopt healthier lifestyles and prioritize preventive healthcare. Officials noted that the current trend of seeking medical attention only when diseases have reached advanced stages is placing an unsustainable strain on the state's medical infrastructure.

Speaking at a health and wellness event organized by Xtralarge Farms and Resorts, Dr. Mazeedat Akorede Erinosho, the Director of Medical Administration, Training and Programs at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, emphasized that the future of the sector depends on stopping diseases before they begin. She argued that building more hospital beds is not a long-term solution to the growing number of sick patients.

Healthcare is expanding beyond the clinic. The future lies in stopping disease before it begins rather than just expanding hospital beds. Our hospitals have too many patients coming in.

— Dr. Mazeedat Akorede Erinosho, Director of Medical Administration, Training and Programs, Lagos State Ministry of Health

Revitalising Primary Healthcare Systems

To address the congestion at major hospitals, the state government is focusing on revitalizing over 300 functional primary healthcare centres (PHCs) across Lagos. These facilities are designed to be the first point of contact for residents, offering essential services such as immunisation, maternal and child healthcare, and nutrition education.

Dr. Erinosho highlighted that these comprehensive centres are being equipped to provide 24-hour service in every local government area. This strategy aims to bring professional medical care closer to the community and ensure that only critical cases are referred to higher-level facilities.

For Lagos State, we cater for the teeming population. For every local government, there is a comprehensive PHC where doctors are there 24 hours because we want to decongest our hospital beds at the secondary and tertiary facilities.

— Dr. Mazeedat Akorede Erinosho, Director of Medical Administration, Training and Programs, Lagos State Ministry of Health

Nutrition and Personal Responsibility

Beyond infrastructure, the state is advocating for a significant shift in citizen behavior, particularly regarding nutrition and hygiene. Dr. Erinosho noted that malnutrition affects both the rich and the poor, and urged families to focus on the quality of their diet rather than viewing wealth as a substitute for good health.

Education on hygiene, specifically handwashing, was identified as a critical tool for public health. The director urged parents to act as role models for children by making routine handwashing a household standard. Additionally, the government linked overall public health to environmental sanitation, warning that poor waste disposal and unsanitary surroundings contribute heavily to the local disease burden.

Promoting a Culture of Wellness

Echoing the government's stance, Dr. Moji Davids, Managing Director of Xtralarge Farms and Resorts, emphasized that wellness must be a proactive choice. She advocated for annual medical check-ups, suggesting that residents treat these screenings as a vital personal commitment to their long-term health.

If you forget any time that you're supposed to go for a medical check-up, give it to yourself as a birthday gift. There are many things that are happening within that we don't know until you do a check-up before you are informed.

— Dr. Moji Davids, Managing Director, Xtralarge Farms and Resorts

Dr. Davids further raised concerns regarding food quality and adulteration in the country. She stressed that healthy living is impossible without access to chemical-free food and a commitment to lifestyle choices including exercise and adequate water intake. The Xtralarge wellness initiative currently includes over 251,000 members across 14 countries, focusing on a holistic approach to health involving nutritionists, physicians, and global health specialists.