Lagos upgrades 11 laboratories with global fund support
Lagos State has intensified efforts to strengthen its healthcare system with a renewed drive to improve the quality of medical laboratory services across the state, in line with Governor Babajide
Lagos State has intensified efforts to strengthen its healthcare system with a renewed drive to improve the quality of medical laboratory services across the state, in line with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s T.H.E.M.E.S agenda.
Backed by the Global Fund through the Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health (RSSH) grant, the state upgraded 11 additional laboratories under its Quality Management System (QMS) scale-up programme, which aims to achieve international standards in diagnostics and service delivery.
The intervention, implemented in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Health, seeks to close critical gaps in laboratory quality management while strengthening the resilience and sustainability of the health system.
The selected facilities are expected to improve diagnostic accuracy, reliability, and turnaround time, with a target of achieving at least a 3-star rating under the World Health Organization’s African Region Stepwise Laboratory Quality Improvement Process Towards Accreditation (SLIPTA) by December 2026.
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The beneficiary laboratories include Recovery Medical Diagnostics, Bimade Diagnostic Services, Sango PHC, PALM Avenue PHC, Epe PHC, Iba PHC, Iga Idugaran PHC, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu PHC, Orile Agege General Hospital, Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital and Alimosho General Hospital.
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To commence implementation, a five-day residential foundation training was held at Dover Hotel, bringing together laboratory professionals from both public and private health facilities. Laboratory focal persons from the state TB, HIV and malaria programmes also participated to strengthen service integration.
Speaking at the opening session, RSSH Team Lead, Dr Oluwatosin Ijimakinwa, commended the state government for its sustained leadership in health sector reforms.
She also acknowledged the contributions of the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi; the Permanent Secretary, Dr Dayo Lajide; and the Director of Healthcare Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr Oyenuga Olajumoke.
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She urged participants to translate the training into measurable improvements at the facility level, stressing that the success of the programme depends on institutional commitment.
Also speaking, Abiodun Omoloja, Coordinator of the Global Fund Grant Management Unit, noted that the inclusion of laboratory directors and programme focal persons across TB, HIV, and malaria was critical to accelerating QMS implementation.
He emphasized the need for effective execution of action plans developed during the training to ensure full institutionalization of quality systems.
In her remarks, RSSH Laboratory Focal Officer Aliu Omoh encouraged participants to embrace the responsibilities ahead and assured them of continued technical support throughout the implementation phase.
The training featured technical sessions facilitated by experts, including Oyenuga Oyebanji, Olufunmilayo Ojo, and Blessing Osazee Airiagbobu, who provided hands-on guidance on quality systems, documentation, and process improvement.
A highlight of the programme was the commemoration of Biomedical Science Day 2026, which underscored the critical role of laboratory professionals in healthcare delivery.
Dignitaries at the event included the Director of Medical Laboratory Services, Lagos State Health Service Commission, Mrs. Farri Adijat; Mr. Ojekunle Suraju Afolabi, who represented the Director of Medical Laboratory Services, Primary Health Care Board; State TB Quality Assurance Officer, Mr. Oyefule Babatunde; and district directors of the PHC Board.
With the latest intervention, Lagos State It is strengthening its position as a leader in healthcare innovation, with a renewed focus on laboratory systems to improve health outcomes and public confidence in medical services.
