Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, has revealed that there are over 20,000 traditional medicine practitioners in Lagos and 7000 doctors in the state

He, however, said that Lagos state needs 33,000 more doctors and equal number of nurses within its health system.

Speaking on Wednesday at the ongoing 2025 ministerial press briefing to mark the second year of the second term of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in office, Abayomi threatened that any one engaged in traditional medicine practice without approval or license will be dealt with and prosecuted, as it is illegal to practice without a license.

He, therefore, urged residents to be cautious about the safety and efficacy of herbal products they consume.

Abayomi provided insight about the state government’s effort to digitalized its health system through the Smart Health Information Platform (SHIP) which will enable real-time data management and decision-making.

The commissioner said that the SHIP project is part of Lagos’ strategy to deliver universal health coverage through mandatory insurance policies and digital transformation.

He added that the state government will launch Lagos State Medical Industry and Innovation Zone (LASMIZO) through strong public-private partnerships aimed at transforming healthcare delivery aside plans to establish Lagos State Comprehensive Cancer Diagnostic Centre.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, stated that the recent diphtheria outbreak in the state was effectively curtailed through aggressive immunization, promising that the state government will continue to meet the health needs of the residents through the governor’s support.