The Lagos State Ministry of Health has launched its Annual Operational Planning workshop, bringing together government agencies, civil society, and development partners to co-develop a unified 2026 health sector plan.
This initiative, supported by partners including the International Society of Media in Public Health and EngenderHealth, aims to enhance service delivery through a Sector-Wide Approach, aligning all stakeholders behind a single strategy to address the state’s most pressing health priorities.
Dr. Oluwadu Sijimakunga, Head of Planning and Director of Healthcare Planning, Research and Statistics, explained the core objective is to create one cohesive plan for the entire health sector. He stated that every activity, program, and policy must speak to the state’s key priorities, which include improving maternal and child health, reducing infant and maternal mortality, and ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare.
The week-long session includes representatives from all state health agencies, such as the teaching hospital, the primary health care board, and the ambulance service. Development partners like UNFPA, UNICEF, and the Gates Foundation are also in attendance to provide technical support and help fill critical funding gaps.
Dr. Sijimakunga detailed that the Annual Operational Plan includes a “wish list” of interventions beyond core government allocations. She illustrated that if a department proposes activities worth ₦75 million but only has a ₦50 million allocation, the balance can be adopted by partners who align with the state’s strategic direction.
The inclusion of civil society was highlighted as a key step for transparency and accountability. Vicky Urema Onyekuru of Lagos Civil Society Participation for Development noted that their inputs have successfully influenced budget provisions for maternal health in the past, ensuring community needs are reflected in policy and spending.
Development partners reaffirmed their commitment to the unified process. Uzoma Ayodeji, a Gender and FGM Analyst with UNFPA Lagos, stated that the joint planning ensures alignment and shared accountability, with a priority on making sexual and reproductive health services accessible to vulnerable groups.
Dr. Sijimakunga emphasized that the Sector-Wide Approach is transforming the health sector by fostering collaboration over fragmented, program-specific planning. The new model, she said, is about working together, leveraging strengths, and collectively improving health outcomes for all residents.
The draft 2026 health plan will now undergo a validation process before final adoption, after which it will serve as the official framework guiding all health activities in Lagos State for the coming year.
