In a bold move to revolutionize critical care and reduce preventable deaths, the Lagos State Government has commissioned two Advanced Smart Modular High Dependency Units (ASMOHDU) at Ifako-Ijaiye and Mushin General Hospitals. The facilities, described as “smart, flexible, and life-saving,” mark a new chapter in Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s agenda to deliver accessible, affordable, and high-quality healthcare across the state.

Speaking at the official unveiling event of the ASMOHDUs held at the General Hospital Ifako-Ijaiye today, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi, recounted Lagos’ remarkable journey toward establishing modern High Dependency Units (HDUs), noting that a decade ago, none existed within the state’s public health system. “When I joined the health family ten years ago, there was not a single HDU. The first was established at Gbagada, and that initiative came from the First Lady at the time,” she said.

She stressed that the concept of HDUs emerged in response to the state’s maternal and child mortality indices. “The T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda emphasizes access, affordability, and quality — three pillars that define our mission. These HDUs represent that vision in action: ensuring every Lagosian has access to timely, life-saving care,” she affirmed.

Dr. Ogunyemi drew a vivid picture of the realities many women face during childbirth, highlighting the emotional and physical toll of maternal complications. “Imagine a woman who comes into the hospital full of hope and joy, only for something to go wrong. These tragedies are preventable, and HDUs give us the capacity to respond fast, stabilize patients, and save lives,” she explained.

She added that the Smart Modular HDU model integrates technology with human care. “It’s not just a room filled with machines; it’s a smart, responsive environment where every second counts. Mr. Governor’s vision is about one thing: saving lives, whether of mothers, newborns, or accident victims,” she said, calling for sustained compassion and professionalism among healthcare workers.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, in his remarks, revealed that the commissioning of these units fulfilled a personal and institutional vision birthed several years ago. “I remember an MPDSR meeting where we were challenged to establish HDUs in at least three senatorial districts. It seemed ambitious then, but today, we have five functional HDUs across Lagos State,” he said proudly.

Dr. Ogboye noted that many maternal deaths in Lagos occur among emergency referrals from other facilities. “That’s why these HDUs are essential; we must offer care superior to what patients had access to before being referred. That’s how we save lives,” he emphasized.

He also highlighted ongoing reforms such as digital transformation in blood services and federal programs like MAMMI and CEmOC, which align with Lagos’ maternal health strategy. “Our goal is simple: no woman should die giving birth in Lagos. Behind every number is a family torn apart. Even one preventable death is one too many,” he said.

Appreciating the project partners, Dr. Ogboye described the ASMOHDU as a “personal milestone,” commending the contractor’s dedication for delivering ahead of schedule. “This kind of commitment to health system strengthening deserves applause. Together, we are building a legacy that saves lives,” he concluded.

Earlier in his remarks, the Medical Director of Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital, Dr. Bamidele Mustapha described the commissioning as “a major leap for a small but mighty hospital.” He said the new HDU symbolized progress and the state’s determination to make maternal mortality a thing of the past. “Pregnancy should no longer be a death sentence. Lagos State has worked tirelessly to remove barriers to safe motherhood,” he said.

Dr. Mustapha shared heartening statistics, revealing that the hospital had reduced maternal deaths drastically. “We’ve achieved this through teamwork, blood availability, and compassionate care, including small gestures like providing breakfast for expectant mothers. This HDU will help us go even further,” he noted.

In his remarks, the Medical Director of Mushin General Hospital, Dr. Sunday Adesola expressed gratitude for the realization of what he called a “long-awaited dream.” He recalled the challenges of the COVID-19 era when many patients could not access critical care due to lack of facilities. “Some lives were lost then. Today, this HDU ensures that no one will die because they couldn’t find care,” he said.

He emphasized that the project’s location signified inclusivity. “The choice of Mushin proves that quality healthcare is not a privilege for the elite. Every Lagosian deserves the best care, regardless of status or income,” he added, pledging that the facility would be optimally maintained and utilized.

Also speaking, the Director, Medical Project Implementation, Dr. Olusoga Oduwole described the ASMOHDU as “a marvel of innovation.” He said the modular, eco-friendly structure was both flexible and technology-driven, enabling real-time telemedicine consultations under the Smart Health Information Platform (SHIP). “With SHIP integration, consultations can happen from anywhere in the world, that’s the future we’re building,” he declared.

He praised the Permanent Secretary’s leadership, describing him as “a talk-and-do reformer” and urged swift approval of the next phase of hospital expansion. “What we are building is not just infrastructure, we are building systems that think, act, and save lives smartly,” he said.

Giving a testimonial, Dr. Oluwole Adeyefa, Senior Medical Officer and trained ASMOHDU Manager at Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work in the new unit. “As an anesthetist, I can say this HDU rivals standard ICUs in design and functionality. It has already improved our emergency response capacity,” he noted.

He added that the training received had reinforced compassion and diligence as core values of medical practice. “Every patient’s life is precious. This project reminds us that saving one life is saving a generation,” he said.

Also giving her testimonial, Mrs. Mariam Ogunmola, Senior Nursing Officer at Mushin General Hospital, described the ASMOHDU as a “life-saving gift” to both staff and patients. “We are grateful to the contractor, HAMIBRA Integrated Services, our Medical Director, and our trainers from LASUTH. This initiative has truly upgraded our skills and boosted morale,” she stated.

She added that the project would drastically reduce delays in emergency response and improve outcomes for critically ill patients. “This is a new dawn for intensive care in Lagos State,” she concluded.

Explaining the concept behind the innovation, Mr. Sulaiman Hammed, MD/CEO of HAMIBRA Integrated Services Nigeria Limited, described the ASMOHDU as a “smart prototype model” bridging the gap between general wards and ICUs. “It’s modular, eco-friendly, and technologically advanced, designed for flexibility, scalability, and real-time remote monitoring,” he said.

He outlined key features such as HEPA-filter air purification systems, gas pipeline installations, and the Remote Monitoring and Supervision Modular System (REMASMS), which allows virtual patient management and specialist consultations. “This model represents the future of healthcare delivery — smart, sustainable, and accessible,” he said.

The commissioning ceremony drew medical professionals, government officials, and community stakeholders who lauded the project as a major step toward achieving the State’s universal health coverage goals.

With these Smart HDUs now operational, Lagos continues to reinforce its reputation as the Centre of Excellence, not only in infrastructure but in compassion, innovation, and life-saving healthcare delivery.

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