Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has pledged to continue engaging with the Medical Guild to resolve outstanding issues on doctors’ allowances, welfare, and working conditions.
Mr Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance at the Medical Guild’s Centenary Celebration and Scientific Conference on Tuesday in Lagos.
The event had the theme “100 Years of Healthcare Delivery: Celebrating the Past, Transforming the Present, Shaping the Future.”
Mr Sanwo-Olu, represented by deputy chief of staff Sam Egube, acknowledged that some aspects of the implementation of the Professional Allowance Statement approved for doctors in the state service remained unresolved.
The governor said the state government remained committed to working with the guild to address outstanding concerns, noting that the welfare, safety and professional development of healthcare workers were critical to delivering quality medical services.
He recalled that at a meeting with the guild on July 17, led by its chairman, Oluwole Olusanya, he approved the implementation of the Professional Allowance Statement for doctors.
“I acknowledge that outstanding areas and implementation concerns remain unfinished business. I will continue to engage the Guild towards their resolution,” he said.
Mr Sanwo-Olu stressed that quality healthcare depended not only on modern facilities but also on motivated medical professionals working under safe and conducive conditions.
The governor listed the reconstruction of Massey Street Children’s Hospital, improvements to general hospitals and the expansion of emergency care facilities among the state government’s investments in healthcare infrastructure.
He added that the state’s health insurance programme, ‘Ilera Eko’, had enrolled 1.5 million residents as of May 2026, as part of efforts to reduce the financial burden of medical treatment.
The governor also reaffirmed the state’s commitment to expanding access to affordable healthcare by enforcing the executive order he signed in July 2024, which makes health insurance mandatory for residents.
Mr Sanwo-Olu urged the guild to sustain its partnership with the government in building a healthcare system that can meet the needs of Lagos’ growing population.
Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat commended doctors for their dedication under demanding conditions.
While acknowledging investments in infrastructure and workforce development, Mr Hamzat said more still needed to be done to meet doctors’ legitimate expectations amid rising emigration of health workers.
Mr Hamzat, represented by Ibrahim Mustafa, permanent secretary, Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, pledged sustained engagement with the guild to improve welfare, retain skilled personnel and strengthen service delivery.
(NAN)
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