The Lagos State Government, through Health District III, has directed Medical Officers of Health to adopt routine data verification practices aimed at strengthening accountability, transparency, and evidence-based decision-making in primary healthcare facilities.
The directive was issued during a quarterly data review meeting held on Friday at the Health District III Headquarters in Ikoyi, where officials stressed that accurate health data remains critical to effective planning and service delivery.
The Permanent Secretary of Health District III, Dr Monsurat Adeleke, emphasised that data verification must become a core responsibility at all levels of healthcare administration, describing accountability in reporting as “not optional.”
She said healthcare figures submitted by facilities must genuinely reflect services delivered within communities, warning against inflated or inaccurate records.
“The government is not interested in impressive numbers on paper but in real impact within the communities,” she said.
Dr Adeleke cautioned that false or inconsistent data could negatively affect healthcare planning, distort vaccine distribution, influence funding decisions, and weaken public health outreach strategies.
She added that inaccurate reporting could ultimately put lives at risk.
To improve transparency and efficiency, she disclosed that the state government has introduced a web-based reporting platform designed to enhance real-time data submission, accountability, and performance monitoring across health facilities.
According to her, all facilities are required to log into the system weekly and ensure correct reporting periods are selected before submitting data.
She also reminded health officers that weekly facility coverage reports must be submitted to the district no later than 8:00 p.m. every Thursday, stressing that timely reporting is essential for effective policy review and planning.
“Together, we can improve immunisation coverage, strengthen maternal and child health services, restore confidence in our reporting systems and ultimately improve health outcomes for the people of Lagos State,” she added.
The meeting also featured technical presentations from senior health officials.
The Head of Health Information Management, Mrs Bolaji Simbo, presented a review titled “Health District III, Q1 – 2024–2025–2026 for Ibeju-Lekki, Epe and Eti-Osa LGAs,” while Damola Adaramoye of the Pharmaceutical Services Department delivered an analysis on “Consumption Patterns of Life Saving and Essential Health Commodities (2024–2025).”
Officials reaffirmed that strengthening data integrity remains central to improving immunisation tracking, maternal and child health outcomes, and the overall effectiveness of public health interventions across Lagos State.
