The Lagos State Government has stepped up monitoring of major healthcare infrastructure projects in Ojo and Somolu as construction advances on the two facilities.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, disclosed this during an inspection tour of the projects on Friday, revealing that the 280-bed Ojo General Hospital was about 85 per cent complete and could be commissioned by the end of 2026 or early 2027.
Abayomi, accompanied by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works, Dr. Adekunle Olayinka, said the Ojo project had entered its finishing stage, while high-tech medical equipment and furniture had already been ordered.
He said the government would increase the frequency of inspection visits to ensure that the facility was delivered according to the required standards.
At Somolu, the commissioner inspected the ongoing construction of the new seven-floor, 180-bed multi-specialist hospital, which is currently about 15 per cent complete.
The new facility is being built on the former Somolu Local Government headquarters site following the relocation of the council administration. According to Abayomi, the decision to construct a new hospital was informed by the large population served by the area and the limited capacity of the existing 60-bed facility.
He assured residents that the existing Somolu General Hospital would continue providing uninterrupted medical services throughout the construction period.
The new hospital is planned as a Head and Neck Super-Specialty Centre, with services covering Plastic Surgery, Maxillofacial Surgery, Ear, Nose and Throat, Ophthalmology and Dentistry. It will also provide core medical services including Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics, and Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Abayomi said the specialised model was part of the state government's plan to transform selected general hospitals into centres of excellence with designated areas of specialisation.
He explained that the initiative would improve access to advanced healthcare services and reduce the number of Lagos residents travelling abroad for specialised medical treatment.
The commissioner also said the new hospital designs were incorporating renewable energy systems, low-carbon technologies, water catchment facilities, improved patient and staff movement, sewage management and enhanced infection prevention measures.
He noted that about 107,000 registered patients currently use the Somolu facility, while its broader catchment population is estimated at between five million and 10 million people, highlighting the need for a larger and more modern healthcare facility.
Olayinka said the inspection confirmed the reported 85 per cent completion level at Ojo. He added that the government's quality assurance teams had identified minor issues that were communicated to the contractor for correction.
According to him, the solar power installation at the Ojo hospital met the required specifications and would provide an alternative power source when the facility becomes operational.
He further disclosed that the Somolu project had overcome some initial challenges and was now progressing after the identified issues were addressed.
Olayinka said the new Somolu General Hospital was expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2027, with solar power, green technologies, modern engineering systems and carbon-reduction measures incorporated into its design.
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