The Lagos State Government has intensified supervision of major healthcare infrastructure projects as work progresses on the 280-bed Ojo General Hospital and the new 180-bed Somolu General Hospital.
Eko Hot News reports that the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, disclosed this during an inspection tour of the two facilities on Friday.
Abayomi was accompanied by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works, Dr. Adekunle Olayinka, and other officials involved in the projects.
At Ojo, the Commissioner said construction had reached about 85 per cent completion.
He said the facility was expected to be ready for commissioning by the end of 2026 or the first quarter of 2027.
According to him, the project has entered the finishing stage, with high-tech medical equipment and furniture already ordered.
He said the government would increase the frequency of inspection visits to ensure that outstanding works are completed according to the required standards.
The Commissioner explained that the government was paying attention to final details before the facility becomes operational.
At Somolu, Abayomi inspected the foundation of the new seven-floor, 180-bed hospital.
The project is currently about 15 per cent complete.
The new facility is being constructed on the former Somolu Local Government headquarters site following the relocation of the council administration.
Abayomi said the decision to construct a new hospital was influenced by the large population served by the existing facility.
He explained that the current Somolu General Hospital has only 60 beds, making expansion necessary to meet growing healthcare demands.
The existing hospital will continue providing clinical services while construction of the new facility continues.
According to the Commissioner, the old hospital will eventually be removed after the new facility becomes operational.
Its current site is expected to be redeveloped to provide parking and other supporting services.
The new Somolu General Hospital will have a specialised focus on head and neck-related medical services.
The facility is planned to operate as a Head and Neck Super-Specialty Centre.
Its services will include Plastic Surgery, Maxillofacial Surgery, Ear, Nose and Throat, Ophthalmology and Dentistry.
The hospital will also provide core services covering Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Abayomi said the specialisation plan forms part of Lagos State’s strategy to develop general hospitals into centres of excellence.
He explained that designated specialties would expand access to advanced medical services within the state.
The approach is also expected to reduce the need for residents to seek specialised treatment outside Nigeria.
The Commissioner said Lagos was working towards making advanced medical interventions available within the state over the coming years.
He added that the government’s long-term objective was to strengthen Lagos as a destination for specialised healthcare.
The new hospital designs also incorporate several sustainability features.
These include renewable energy systems, low-carbon technologies and improved movement systems for patients and healthcare workers.
Water catchment, sewage management and infection prevention measures are also being incorporated into the projects.
According to Abayomi, these features are expected to make the facilities safer, more efficient and environmentally sustainable.
He disclosed that about 107,000 registered patients currently access services at the Somolu facility.
The wider catchment population, he added, is estimated at between five and 10 million people.
The figures, according to the Commissioner, demonstrate the need for a larger and more modern healthcare facility in the area.
Olayinka, who also inspected the projects, said the visit to Ojo confirmed the reported 85 per cent completion level.
He said the government’s quality assurance and control teams had identified minor areas requiring correction.
The issues had been communicated to the contractor for necessary attention.
Olayinka also confirmed that the solar installation at the Ojo hospital met the required specifications.
He said the solar system would provide an important alternative power source when the hospital becomes operational.
At Somolu, he said the project had experienced some initial challenges but was now progressing after the identified issues were addressed.
The Somolu hospital is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2027.
Modern engineering systems, green technologies, carbon-reduction measures and solar power are included in the project design.
The inspection team included officials from the Ministry of Health’s Medical Project Implementation Unit and the Office of Works.
Management representatives from Somolu General Hospital, contractors and technical project management teams also participated in the inspection.
The Commissioner said infrastructure development is only one part of Lagos State’s broader healthcare reform programme.
He linked the projects with healthcare financing reforms, compulsory health insurance and plans for a University of Medicine and Health Sciences.
According to him, these initiatives are designed to strengthen the state’s healthcare system.
The government is also seeking to improve access to specialised medical services for residents.
The Ojo and Somolu projects are expected to expand healthcare capacity and improve the quality of services available to communities.
The facilities are also expected to support Lagos’ ambition of becoming a stronger regional centre for specialised medical care.
The state government said continued monitoring would remain important to ensure that the projects are delivered according to specifications.
With Ojo nearing completion and Somolu advancing, Lagos is positioning the two hospitals as important additions to its growing healthcare infrastructure.
