New Somolu General Hospital also rises as state targets specialised care and less medical tourism
The Lagos State Government has intensified its monitoring of major healthcare infrastructure projects across the state as the construction of the 280-bed Ojo General Hospital approaches completion and work begins on a new 180-bed Somolu General Hospital.
The two projects are part of the state government’s wider plan to expand access to quality healthcare and provide more specialised medical services to residents.
Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, disclosed the progress of the projects during an inspection visit on Friday.
At Ojo, the new 280-bed General Hospital is now about 85 per cent complete, putting the project on course for commissioning by the end of 2026 or, at the latest, the first quarter of 2027.
The development is expected to significantly increase the healthcare capacity available to residents of Ojo and surrounding communities.
According to the Commissioner, major medical equipment and furniture for the facility have already been ordered, indicating that attention is gradually shifting from construction to preparing the hospital for actual medical operations.
The Ojo project is expected to provide residents with a modern healthcare facility capable of handling a wide range of medical needs while reducing the pressure on existing hospitals in the area.
The development at Somolu is also attracting attention as the Lagos State Government begins work on a new seven-floor, 180-bed General Hospital.
Construction of the new Somolu facility is currently about 15 per cent complete.
Unlike a conventional general hospital alone, the facility is planned to serve as a Head and Neck Super-Specialty Centre, with a strong focus on specialised medical services.
The planned services include Plastic Surgery, Maxillofacial Surgery, Ear, Nose and Throat, Ophthalmology and Dentistry.
The hospital will also provide core medical services to ensure that residents can access general healthcare alongside the specialised treatments.
The development is expected to give Lagos a stronger capacity to manage complex head and neck conditions and other specialist cases that may otherwise require patients to seek treatment outside the state or country.
The government said the existing 60-bed Somolu General Hospital will continue to operate throughout the construction period.
This means residents will not be left without access to healthcare services while the new facility is being built.
The new Somolu hospital is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2027.
Abayomi said the projects form part of the state’s broader strategy to improve healthcare infrastructure and expand access to specialised treatment.
The government is also targeting a reduction in medical tourism by developing facilities that can provide advanced medical services within Lagos.
For years, Nigerians requiring certain specialised treatments have travelled to other countries because of concerns over the availability of equipment, specialist doctors and modern healthcare facilities.
The Lagos Government is seeking to reverse that trend by investing in hospitals capable of delivering more advanced services locally.
The projects also reflect a growing focus on modern hospital design and sustainability.
According to the Commissioner, the new facilities are being developed with renewable energy and other green technologies in mind.
This is expected to help reduce dependence on conventional energy sources while supporting more sustainable hospital operations.
The emphasis on renewable energy is particularly important for healthcare facilities, where reliable electricity is needed to operate medical equipment, preserve medicines and provide round-the-clock services.
The Ojo and Somolu projects therefore represent more than the construction of new buildings. They are part of Lagos State’s attempt to expand its healthcare network, improve specialist services and create hospitals that can meet the demands of a growing population.
The near-completion of the Ojo hospital will also put pressure on the government to ensure that the facility becomes fully operational once construction is completed.
For residents, the real test will not only be the completion of the buildings but whether the hospitals are properly equipped, adequately staffed and maintained after commissioning.
The Lagos State Government will consequently have to ensure that the new facilities have the necessary doctors, nurses, specialists, technicians and other healthcare professionals to deliver the services promised.
The availability of modern equipment will also need to be matched with regular maintenance and sustainable funding.
With Ojo approaching the final stage and Somolu gradually taking shape, the projects are expected to become important additions to Lagos State’s public healthcare system.
The government maintains that the investments are aimed at bringing quality healthcare closer to residents, strengthening specialised medical services and reducing the number of Nigerians who travel abroad in search of treatment.
If completed according to schedule, the Ojo General Hospital could begin receiving patients within the next few months, while the new Somolu facility is expected to take its place in Lagos’ specialist healthcare network by the third quarter of 2027.
For Lagos residents, the expectation is straightforward: modern hospitals should not only be completed but should work, remain properly equipped and provide affordable and reliable healthcare when they are needed most.
