AVON Medicals, a subsidiary of Heirs Holdings, has launched a state-of-the-art 50-bed hospital in Surulere, Lagos, marking a significant milestone in private sector investment in Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
The new facility was officially commissioned by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at a well-attended ceremony that drew dignitaries from both federal and state governments.
The commissioning was graced by Nigeria’s Minister of Health, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, and several top government officials.
Also present were the Group Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Mr. Tony Elumelu, and Chairperson of AVON Medical, Dr. Awele Elumelu, whose remarks highlighted the journey of AVON Medical from a modest clinic in 2009 to a full-fledged multi-specialty hospital.
Speaking at the event, Governor Sanwo-Olu commended AVON Medical for its unwavering commitment to improving health outcomes in Nigeria. He described the facility as a beacon of “vision, action, collaboration, and delivery” for the ordinary Nigerian.
“Avon Medical has truly placed its name in the sand of time,” the governor said, acknowledging the dedication and long-term investment required to thrive in the healthcare sector.
He praised Dr. Awele Elumelu for her 16-year leadership and commitment to building a legacy beyond comfort or convenience.
The governor emphasized that effective healthcare delivery requires strong public-private partnerships, noting that governments alone cannot shoulder the burden of providing comprehensive health services.
“We need patient investors who are not just looking for quick returns, but those who understand the mission to serve humanity,” he said.
The newly commissioned facility houses full diagnostic services, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, and neonatal care designed to cater to various levels of medical specialization. Sanwo-Olu described the project as a critical piece of Lagos’ wider healthcare strategy and a model for other private sector stakeholders.
In his address, the governor also reiterated Lagos State’s commitment to boosting healthcare infrastructure.
He highlighted recent achievements including the completion of mother and child hospitals in Badagry, Eti-Osa, Epe, and Alimosho, as well as ongoing mega projects such as the Mercy Children’s Hospital on Third Mainland Bridge and a mental health facility in Ketu-Ejirin, projected to be the largest in sub-Saharan Africa.
He called on investment bankers and private investors to channel more resources into the healthcare sector, urging them to consider medical real estate as a worthy and impactful venture.
“We are working hard to reverse the brain drain and reduce the $2 billion Nigerians spend on medical tourism annually.
“This is how we reclaim the narrative. Let us build the institutions we want to see”, he said.
The commissioning closed on a note of encouragement, with the governor assuring AVON Medical and other healthcare investors of Lagos State’s continued support through an enabling environment and proactive health policies.
AVON Medical’s latest milestone adds to Nigeria’s growing portfolio of modern health infrastructure driven by private-public collaboration—a step that stakeholders say is vital to achieving accessible and quality healthcare for all.