Massey Children’s Hospital to open next year, says Sanwo-Olu

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has assured residents that the Massey Children’s Hospital, located on Lagos Island, will be ready to serve the health needs of children by next year.

The governor made the promise on Thursday during an inspection of the ongoing construction work at the site of what will be the largest pediatric hospital in sub-Saharan Africa.

Sanwo-Olu expressed satisfaction with the progress, stating, “We are on course and expect to complete all major civil works by the end of this year, with extensive finishing to begin shortly after.” He added that the hospital’s multi-level car park has reached its required height, and only one more floor, including a helipad, remains to be built.

Reflecting on the project’s beginnings, Sanwo-Olu noted that the groundbreaking ceremony took place less than two years ago.

He described the scope of the hospital as monumental, emphasizing its significance: “We are delivering what will be the largest pediatric hospital in sub-Saharan Africa at a single location. Seeing the scale of this development in person really highlights its magnitude.”

Sanwo-Olu stressed the importance of the new facility, which will replace the current Massey Children’s Hospital, a nearly 100-year-old institution. “Lagos deserves this health edifice. The least we can do is not only preserve the name but also build a structure that will last for another 200 years,” the governor stated.

He highlighted that the project is part of his administration’s commitment to providing world-class healthcare infrastructure, adding, “This is another promise made and another promise kept. Our goal is to create facilities that will outlive us, comparable to any in Africa or the world.”

The governor also mentioned other ongoing health projects of similar scale across the state, including those in Ojo and Epe, with visits to these sites planned for later in the year.

He commended the consulting engineers and supervising ministries involved in the project, urging them to continue their dedication: “It’s not done until the hospital is serving patients and saving lives.”

Sanwo-Olu expressed optimism about the hospital’s impact on the surrounding area, stating, “This project will spur further regeneration of the entire neighborhood.”

Also speaking at the event, Chairman of Lagos Island-East Local Council Development Area, Alade Folawiyo, expressed his delight at witnessing the construction during his tenure. He noted that the new hospital would be a fitting centennial gift to the children of Lagos Island.