Lagos Health District III Records Improved Service Uptake, Flags Immunisation Decline
Lagos State Government Reports Increased Healthcare Utilization in Health District III
LAGOS, Nigeria — The Lagos State Government has announced a notable increase in healthcare utilization within Health District III during the first half of 2026, with 10 out of 13 key service indicators showing improvement compared to the same period in 2025. These findings were shared during a mid-year data review meeting held Friday at the Health District III Headquarters in Ikoyi.
Dr. Monsurat Adeleke, the Permanent Secretary of the state’s health ministry, credited the enhancements to bolstered service delivery and heightened community engagement throughout the district. According to the data, overall patient attendance rose by 20 percent, while the number of deliveries increased by 15 percent. Additionally, postnatal care visits saw a significant surge of 33 percent.
The Epe Local Government Area recorded the most substantial gains among the indicators, with deliveries soaring by 102 percent, postnatal care visits jumping by 124 percent, and general attendance increasing by 32 percent.
In terms of family planning, the district observed a 13 percent rise in new acceptors, with Ibeju-Lekki and Epe experiencing increases of 53 percent and 39 percent, respectively. However, Eti-Osa noted a decline of 6 percent in this area.
Despite these overall improvements, the district faced challenges with immunization coverage. Vaccination rates for Measles 1 and Measles 2 decreased by 32 percent and 46 percent, respectively. Moreover, postnatal care visits in Eti-Osa fell by 25 percent.
Adeleke has called upon health facilities to investigate potential causes for the decline in immunizations, addressing factors such as vaccine availability, cold-chain management, and missed opportunities for vaccination. She encouraged facilities in Ibeju-Lekki and Eti-Osa to implement strategies that have proven effective in Epe.
While acknowledging the reduced cases of malnutrition within the district, Adeleke advised caution in drawing definitive conclusions until further validation of the data is conducted. She emphasized that the review aims to identify and address gaps rather than assign blame.
“The ultimate goal is to ensure that these improved statistics lead to tangible enhancements in the health and well-being of residents across Health District III,” she stated.
The meeting also featured a presentation by Mrs. Bolaji Simbo, Head of Health Information Management, who offered insights into the district’s performance through a report comparing data from January to June 2025 and the same period in 2026.
