Segun Atanda/
In a bold stride toward transforming Nigeria’s healthcare landscape, AVON Medical, a subsidiary of Heirs Holdings, has inaugurated a state-of-the-art, 50-bed hospital facility in the heart of Surulere, Lagos.
The health centre was commissioned by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, amidst an assembly of dignitaries, industry leaders, and members of the public.
The event was graced by the Federal Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate (represented by Prof. Wasiu Lanre Adeyemo, CMD of LUTH), and Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi. Also in attendance were the Group Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Mr. Tony Elumelu, CFR, and Chairperson of AVON Medical, Dr. Awele Elumelu, OFR, who delivered a heartfelt keynote address.
In her speech, Dr. Awele Elumelu reflected on AVON Medical’s journey from a single worksite clinic in 2009 to a multi-facility network anchored by a vision of accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare for all Nigerians. “This is a particularly emotional moment,” she said. “We saw the gaps in healthcare—overburdened hospitals, inadequate equipment, and insufficient medical personnel—and we chose to act. Today’s facility is not the end, but a springboard to something greater.”
Echoing the theme of collaboration and vision, Governor Sanwo-Olu praised the Elumelus for their sustained commitment and patient investment in a critical yet often overlooked sector. “Avon Medical has put its name in the sand of time,” he remarked. “This is not just a facility—it is a symbol of purpose-driven private sector leadership. We in government cannot do it alone.”
The new AVON Medical facility features a comprehensive range of services, including diagnostics, dialysis, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, and neonatal care. It is equipped to provide world-class care, meeting international standards while remaining deeply rooted in the community’s needs.
Sanwo-Olu used the occasion to reaffirm the state’s own investments in healthcare, citing the construction of the Mercy Children’s Hospital—the largest pediatric hospital in sub-Saharan Africa—and the upcoming mental health facility in Ketuerio, among other projects.
The launch underscored the shared vision of both the public and private sectors: to build a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient health system in Nigeria and across the continent.
Dr. Elumelu said, “To achieve a developed Africa, we must have healthier Africans. And Africa’s solutions lie with Africans.”
The ceremony concluded with a resounding call for continued partnership, investment, and innovation to close the healthcare gap and restore confidence in the nation’s medical infrastructure. The AVON Medical Surulere facility is now open to the public and promises to redefine patient care in Lagos.
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