Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has officially opened the Society for Family Health (SFH) Innovation Hub, aimed at accelerating the development of effective health solutions for families.
At the unveiling event in Ikeja on Friday, Governor Sanwo-Olu was represented by the State’s Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi. The facility, which spans three floors, was established to honor the late Prof. Olikoye Ransome-Kuti, one of SFH’s founders and a former Minister of Health.
In his remarks, Sanwo-Olu emphasized the critical role of innovation in advancing healthcare, noting its transformative impact on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases. He highlighted the concerning health statistics facing both the state and the country, pointing out that much of Nigeria’s medical equipment, medications, and vaccines are imported.
He further explained, “While we’re beginning to make progress in the pharmaceutical sector, particularly in Lagos and Ogun states, the focus is now shifting to more complex pharmaceutical formulations and vaccine production.” He added that manufacturing vaccines requires an environment built on rigorous research, innovation, and development.
Sanwo-Olu also discussed ongoing collaborations between SFH and the Ministry of Health to address public health issues like malaria and fevers. “We’re making significant strides in developing strategies to reduce malaria in Nigeria and, eventually, aim for its elimination,” he said. He stressed the importance of collaboration and deliberate efforts in solving such health challenges, rather than relying on hope alone.
The governor also stated that the SFH Innovation Hub would serve as a space for ideation, collaboration, and innovation, contributing to the broader effort of advancing health equity through systematic use of new ideas and technology.
In her remarks, Kwara State’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina El-Amin, recognized the hub as a crucial platform for fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors to address Nigeria’s healthcare challenges. “Hubs like this will encourage ideation, co-creation, and testing of solutions before they are implemented in the field. We need to create solutions that are tailored to the unique needs of our people,” she emphasized.
Prof. Ekanem Braide, the Board President of SFH, underscored the hub’s role in co-creating innovative, health-driven solutions. “The SFH Innovation Hub reflects our belief that addressing health issues requires creativity, collaboration, and adaptability,” she stated. “It will be a vital incubator for ideas that address Nigeria’s health challenges and empower communities to manage their health.”
Dr. Omokhudu Idogho, the Managing Director of SFH, highlighted the hub’s importance in supporting the organization’s ongoing efforts in research and the delivery of scalable innovations. He emphasized that the hub would foster national collaboration to scale impactful health solutions that promote equity. “Our Innovation Hub provides the ideal platform for scaling health solutions, from our digital care platform to our supply chain initiatives, all aimed at improving healthcare systems and access across the country,” Idogho added.
The SFH Innovation Hub is envisioned as a cornerstone for the organization’s sustainability and a key player in transforming Nigeria’s healthcare landscape through creative and impactful solutions.
Click on this Link to join whatsapp link
