In a significant healthcare development, the Lagos State General Hospital in Epe has officially been transferred to the Federal Government for a full upgrade into a tertiary health facility, now known as the Federal Medical Centre, Epe.
This transformation was formalized on Thursday, when Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the maiden Lagos Trauma Conference, held at the Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island.
Themed “Enhancing Trauma Care and Emergency Healthcare Systems for a Thriving Lagos”, the conference underscored the urgent need for advanced medical services to support Lagos’ growing population.
Governor Sanwo-Olu initiated the request to the Federal Government, advocating for a major healthcare infrastructure upgrade in Epe to address the needs of the region’s expanding population and surrounding communities.
READ ALSO: FG exempts 63 items from VAT in major fiscal reform push
This upgrade will significantly enhance access to specialized healthcare services, improving Lagos’ collective health capacity through collaboration between national and state governments.
As part of the agreement, the hospital will integrate specialized services, including a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), open-heart surgery, advanced obstetrics and gynecology, nephrology, radiology, and orthopedic services. An Emergency and Trauma Centre will also be established. Additionally, the MoU includes the creation of a School of Nursing at the Federal Medical Centre, with the first intake of students expected in 2025.
Sanwo-Olu hailed the initiative as a “game changer” in Lagos’ healthcare landscape, noting that the collaboration with the Federal Government would reshape healthcare delivery in the state. He added, “This conversion of Epe General Hospital to a Federal Medical Centre marks a new chapter in our efforts to expand access to quality healthcare for our residents.”
In a further boost to healthcare education, the agreement also includes the establishment of a Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (FEDCAM) in Ilara Igboye, Epe. FEDCAM will offer specialized training in fields such as acupuncture, naturopathy, chiropractic medicine, and herbal medicine.
Dr. Alausa praised the move, noting that the Federal Medical Centre in Epe would improve health outcomes, stimulate the local economy, and provide employment opportunities. He linked the initiative to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at improving Nigerians’ quality of life across all sectors.
Sanwo-Olu also highlighted the need to expand Lagos’ trauma care services, stressing that investments in healthcare infrastructure and personnel were vital to managing medical emergencies in the rapidly growing state.
