Avon Medical launches ultramodern facility, pledges to transform healthcare access in Nigeria
...As Sanwo-Olu applauds Avon Medical
…Calls for more private investment in Nigeria’s health sector
By Seun Ibiyemi
Avon Medical has officially opened its state-of-the-art medical facility in Lagos, a major step forward in its mission to improve healthcare access and standards across Nigeria. The launch marks a significant milestone for the company, which has steadily expanded its footprint since its inception.
At the commissioning ceremony, Dr Awele Elumelu, Chairperson of Avon Medical Practice, shared the deeply personal roots of the project. She explained that the vision was born in 2009 out of a desire to make high-quality healthcare both accessible and affordable to all Nigerians, regardless of socioeconomic background.
“This is more than a building,” Dr Elumelu said during her remarks. “It is a promise fulfilled. A commitment to building a healthcare system that truly serves everyone, not just a privileged few.”
The facility is the latest addition to Avon Medical’s expanding network, which includes a 50-bed hospital, a dialysis centre, and several worksite clinics. Dr Elumelu stressed that the objective is not merely the expansion of infrastructure but the delivery of care that genuinely meets the needs of the people — particularly women and children.
The launch drew the attendance of dignitaries including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and officials from the Federal Ministry of Health, reflecting a growing synergy between the private and public sectors in tackling Nigeria’s healthcare challenges.
Dr Elumelu also referenced the philosophy of Africapitalism, which centres on the belief that Africa’s private sector has a pivotal role to play in driving the continent’s development.
“We’re not stopping here,” she said. “This is just the beginning. Our goal remains ambitious — to establish a network of healthcare solutions that are not only world-class but also accessible and affordable.”
The new facility stands as a symbol of Avon Medical’s ongoing dedication to bridging critical gaps in healthcare across the continent, backed by a committed team and a firm belief in African-led innovation and delivery.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, who formally commissioned the facility, praised both Avon Medical and Dr Elumelu for their leadership and unwavering investment in Nigeria’s healthcare ecosystem.
Speaking to guests, health professionals, and other stakeholders, the governor described the opening of the new centre as “a meaningful demonstration of vision, collaboration, and delivery.” He underscored the crucial importance of private sector engagement in creating a sustainable healthcare system that works for all.
“Avon Medical has inscribed its legacy in the sands of time. From a single clinic in 2009 to a full-fledged centre offering diagnostics, obstetrics, gynaecology, and paediatric care, this exemplifies what focused investment and visionary leadership can achieve,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He reiterated Lagos State’s ongoing commitment to supporting private healthcare investment. The state currently allocates between 8 and 10 percent of its annual budget to health and is actively pursuing new infrastructure projects, including the Mercy Children’s Hospital and a dedicated mental health centre in Ketu-Ereyun.
Addressing the broader context of medical brain drain and the estimated $2 billion Nigerians spend on overseas medical treatment each year, the governor urged financial institutions and stakeholders to re-channel resources into strengthening domestic healthcare infrastructure.
“Our goal is to bring quality healthcare within reach of the average Nigerian. Facilities like this are helping us close that gap,” he said.