August 3, 2025
Business Health

Elumelu’s Avon Medical Launches 50-Bed State-of-the-Art Hospital in Lagos as FG, Sanwo-Olu Applaud Private Sector Healthcare Drive

In a major boost to Nigeria’s healthcare landscape, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, alongside the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday commissioned a cutting-edge 50-bed medical facility in Surulere, Lagos. The ultra-modern hospital, developed by Dr Awele Elumelu, Chairperson of Avon Healthcare and wife of Heirs Holdings Chairman, Mr Tony Elumelu, is part of a growing effort to deepen access to quality healthcare in Nigeria and reduce the reliance on foreign medical treatment.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, while delivering his remarks at the unveiling of the Avon Medical facility, commended the Elumelu family for their enduring commitment to improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria through private sector-led interventions. He noted that his administration remains intentional in partnering with the private sector to strengthen the state’s healthcare system, adding that the government cannot address all health challenges alone and must create an enabling environment for private investment.

Sanwo-Olu stated, “This is the kind of bold step that reflects purpose, patience, and compassion. Health institutions cannot be left to the government alone. Avon Medical has shown the possibilities that emerge when the private sector is fully engaged and purposeful. Their work over the past 16 years is commendable, and today’s unveiling only deepens their footprint.”

The Lagos State Governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to sustaining a business-friendly environment to attract more investments in the health sector.

Representing the Federal Government, Professor Ali Pate, through the Chief Medical Director of Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Professor Wasiu Adeyemo, lauded the Avon Medical initiative as a model of excellence in healthcare delivery. He highlighted the importance of private sector involvement in achieving improved health outcomes, especially in the face of challenges like poor infrastructure, limited medical personnel, and increasing health-related migration abroad.

According to him, “This is more than a hospital opening—it is a significant step toward transforming Nigeria’s healthcare system. With its modern diagnostic centre, high-end CT scanner, paediatric and intensive care units, and well-equipped operating theatres, this facility embodies a forward-looking, inclusive, and responsive approach to healthcare.”

Professor Pate described the launch as a bold signal of private sector-led innovation in healthcare, stressing that the federal government remains committed to reforms that address medical tourism and strengthen tertiary healthcare institutions across the country.

Giving a passionate account of Avon Medical’s journey, Dr Awele Elumelu recounted how the vision began in 2009 with a mission to provide high-quality, affordable, and inclusive healthcare to Nigerians. She described the project as a response to widespread challenges in the health sector, including the lack of modern facilities, the pressure on public hospitals, and the growing frustration of citizens unable to access timely and efficient medical attention.

In her words, “This facility is not just a building—it is the result of a dream that began over a decade ago. We saw the gaps in the health sector and knew we had to do something. From a single clinic, we have grown into a 50-bed hospital with additional locations, including a dialysis centre in Ikeja and several worksite clinics across Lagos and beyond.”

She noted that the vision behind Avon Medical and its sister organisation, Avon HMO, was always to tackle both the supply and access sides of the healthcare equation—providing not just the services but the means for Nigerians to afford them.

Dr Elumelu raised concerns about the continent’s limited healthcare resources, stating that although Africa bears over 20% of the global disease burden, it has access to only 1% of global healthcare resources. She revealed that about 48% of Africans lack access to quality healthcare, while only around 3% of the world’s health professionals serve the entire continent.

“These numbers reflect human stories—families suffering, lives lost unnecessarily, women and children facing preventable health challenges. That is why this facility matters,” she said. “It is our contribution to a system where no one is left behind. It means safer deliveries, timely diagnoses for children, and affordable care for everyone.”

She added that the aim is to build a system that does not just compete globally but also reflects Africa’s realities. According to her, addressing the brain drain, often referred to as the ‘japa’ phenomenon, and expanding healthcare infrastructure are at the heart of Avon Medical’s mission.

In a brief but impactful address, Mr Tony Elumelu expressed gratitude to the Lagos State Government for its continuous support and commitment to creating an investment-friendly climate. He reaffirmed Heirs Holdings’ commitment to solving African problems through strategic investments that create impact, improve lives, and build sustainable systems.

As Nigeria continues to confront the realities of an overstretched healthcare system, the unveiling of the Avon Medical facility in Lagos is being viewed as a significant milestone in demonstrating what is possible through visionary private sector leadership, public-private collaboration, and a shared commitment to a healthier future for all.