The Lagos State health sector received a major boost on Thursday as a brand new radiology X-ray machine donated by Senator Wasiu Eshilokun, in collaboration with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), was officially commissioned at the General Hospital Odan-Lagos, strengthening diagnostic capacity at one of Nigeria’s oldest public hospitals.

Speaking at the ceremony, Senator Eshilokun, who represents Lagos Central Senatorial District, said the donation was part of a long-standing engagement with the Lagos State Ministry of Health aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery, particularly at the primary and secondary levels. He disclosed that discussions with the State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, had resulted in agreed interventions across the health sector.

The senator announced that two new Primary Health Centres at Ojo-Giwa and Itire-Ikate had already been approved, with designs completed and contracts awarded, noting that the projects would further strengthen collaboration between the Ministry of Health and local governments. He also revealed that additional interventions were being planned for General Hospital Odan before the end of the current project cycle in March.

Describing the X-ray machine as “a gift of health and a tool to save lives,” Senator Eshilokun pledged an additional ₦1 billion for the upgrade of facilities at the hospital, saying the investment would improve infrastructure, enhance patient care and help sustain the hospital’s status as a model of excellence. He commended the Lagos State Government for prioritising health and praised the Nigerian Ports Authority for its seamless collaboration.

In his remarks, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, described General Hospital Odan as the flagship and one of the oldest general hospital in Nigeria, noting that it remained a constant focus of the state’s health infrastructure renewal drive. He said the hospital was undergoing continuous upgrades in line with Lagos State’s vision to lead in healthcare delivery.

Prof. Abayomi praised Senator Eshilokun for returning home to invest in a critical sector, stressing that access to functional diagnostic equipment such as X-ray machines was essential to effective patient care. He noted that doctors were often forced to refer patients outside the hospital for imaging, a challenge the new machine would significantly reduce.

Expressing gratitude on behalf of the Lagos health family and residents of Lagos Island, the commissioner said the senator’s intervention had eased pressure on the facility and its personnel, adding that further proposed health projects by the lawmaker reflected uncommon generosity and commitment to public service.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi, said the commissioning underscored the Lagos State Government’s resolve to place health at the centre of governance from the very beginning of the year. She noted that the donation followed closely after the First Baby of the Year celebration on January 1, signalling a strong start for health-focused interventions in 2026.

Dr. Ogunyemi described General Hospital Odan as one of the state’s most historic health institutions and said the provision of the X-ray machine met a critical need. She emphasised that improved healthcare delivery was not the sole responsibility of government, but required partnerships with elected representatives and federal agencies.

Commending Senator Eshilokun and the Nigerian Ports Authority, the Special Adviser said the collaboration demonstrated how collective action could translate into tangible benefits for Lagos residents. She expressed confidence that the intervention would not be the last, reaffirming Lagos State’s reputation as the Centre of Excellence and a pace setter in public health.

Representing the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, Malam Ali Garba Bichi said the Authority was pleased to partner in an initiative that would directly improve patient care and diagnostic services at the hospital. He noted that the intervention would benefit not only Lagos Island but the state at large.

He urged the hospital management to ensure effective utilisation of the equipment for the benefit of patients, while wishing Lagos State and the health facility continued success in service delivery.

In her goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health Service Commission, Dr. Abimbola Mabogunje, described the donation as timely and impactful, noting that modern diagnostic equipment was central to accurate diagnosis and improved health outcomes. She commended the hospital management for ensuring the successful installation of the machine.

Dr. Mabogunje also applauded Senator Eshilokun and the Nigerian Ports Authority for demonstrating strong stakeholder collaboration, assuring that the Health Service Commission would continue to support initiatives aligned with the state’s vision of people-centred healthcare delivery.

Earlier, the Medical Director of General Hospital Odan-Lagos, Dr. Olatunde Bakare, said the commissioning marked a significant milestone in enhancing the hospital’s diagnostic capacity and service efficiency. He noted that radiological services were vital to timely clinical decision-making and patient management.

Dr. Bakare expressed profound appreciation to the donor and partners, assuring that the equipment would be optimally utilised and properly maintained, while calling for sustained support to ensure reliable infrastructure for advanced medical technology.

In his closing remarks, the Director of Radiology, Dr. Tope Akintomide, described the event as historic, recalling that General Hospital Odan-Lagos was home to Nigeria’s first X-ray machine in 1913. He said the new equipment would not only improve patient care but also strengthen residency training and accreditation for future radiologists.

Dr. Akintomide thanked the Lagos State Government, the hospital management, Senator Eshinlokun and the Nigerian Ports Authority, noting that the intervention had restored hope and capacity within the department and positioned the hospital for a stronger future in diagnostic medicine.

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