Avon Medical has taken a significant leap in revolutionizing healthcare delivery in Nigeria with the launch of its ultramodern medical facility in Lagos, reaffirming its commitment to making quality healthcare accessible to all Nigerians—not just the privileged few.
At the official unveiling ceremony held on April 14, 2025, Chairperson of Avon Medical Practice, Dr. Awele Elumelu, OFR, delivered a stirring keynote address, emphasizing the need to democratize healthcare access across the country and the continent.
“This facility is not just for the wealthy. Not just for the privileged few. It is for everyone,” Dr. Elumelu declared. “We could not look away from the problems. We saw the overburdened hospitals, the lack of equipment, and the strain on our medical professionals. That’s why we chose to act.”
From its humble beginnings as a work-site clinic, Avon Medical has grown into a robust healthcare network boasting a 50-bed hospital, a Dialysis Centre, and several satellite clinics. This new facility is a symbol of that transformation and a key part of the group’s mission to provide world-class, affordable care through a dual model that combines Avon Medical’s services with the coverage offered by its sister company, Avon HMO.
Dr. Elumelu also drew attention to the stark realities of healthcare on the continent, pointing out that Africa shoulders more than 20% of the global disease burden yet has only 1% of global healthcare resources. She stressed that nearly half of the population lacks access to the care they need—figures that translate into real suffering, especially among women and children.
With a strong focus on maternal and child health, the new Avon Medical facility is poised to fill critical gaps in access and outcomes. “More women will now receive the care they need to bring life safely into the world. More children will get timely diagnoses and treatments. More families will finally have access to the healthcare they deserve,” she said.
Dr. Elumelu framed Avon Medical’s mission within the philosophy of Africapitalism—the belief in the power of the private sector to drive development in Africa. “This is not the end. It is a springboard,” she said. “Our vision is to build a healthcare network that is world-class, accessible, and affordable. Africa’s solutions lie with Africans, and we are proof that it can be done.”
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was present at the launch, praised Avon Medical for its bold investment and long-term commitment to healthcare delivery. He described the new facility as a beacon of what private sector-led initiatives can achieve in solving systemic health challenges.
“In one location, to build a 50-bed hospital with full diagnostics, obstetrics, paediatrics, and neonatal services is no small feat,” Governor Sanwo-Olu stated. “This is not just infrastructure—it is a bold investment in human lives and dignity.”
The governor emphasized the critical role of public-private partnerships in transforming the healthcare landscape, noting that government alone cannot close the vast infrastructure and access gaps. He pointed to the growing threat of brain drain and poor maternal and child health indicators as issues requiring collective action.
“We must continue to create the enabling environment for such patient capital and long-term thinking,” he said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also highlighted his administration’s achievements in healthcare, including the commissioning of five maternal and child hospitals across Lagos and the ongoing construction of what will be Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest paediatric hospital.
“To my friend and brother, Tony Elumelu, and especially to Dr. Awele Elumelu—thank you for not sitting back, for using your profession and your passion to build something transformational. Avon Medical has written its name in the sand of time,” the governor concluded.
With this new facility, Avon Medical reinforces its vision to not only connect patients to care but also to elevate healthcare standards across Nigeria—creating a future where access to quality healthcare is truly universal.
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