Good morning, distinguished guests
Your Excellency, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu,
The Honourable Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate duly represented by the Chief Medical Director of LUTH, Prof. Wasiu Lanre Adeyemo;
The Honourable Commissioner of Health, Lagos State, Prof. Akin Abayomi,
Our partners and colleagues. Members of the press, ladies and gentlemen.
Let me start by thanking you for taking the time to join us on this special occasion.
We appreciate your presence as we celebrate this major milestone in Avon Medical Practice, and within our larger group, Heirs Holdings, as we continue on this journey to transform healthcare delivery in Nigeria and across Africa.
This is a particularly emotional moment for us at Avon Medical. It is a moment of pride and a deep sense of fulfilment.
And today, I would like to tell you our story. Because when you understand where we started, you will better appreciate what this moment means, not just for us, but for many families across this country.
In 2009, the journey officially began. The decision was made. We took the first step. A bold step to make world-class healthcare accessible and affordable for all.
Not just for the wealthy. Not just for the privileged few but for everyone.
We were focused on the problems. We saw them all around us:
- Overburdened public hospitals.
- Lack of modern equipment.
- Medical professionals being stretched to their limits.
- Too many people frustrated as they simply couldn’t get medical help in time.
We could not look away, so we decided to do something about it.
That single decision to step in gave birth to Avon Medical and our health insurance company, Avon HMO.
The first, to provide excellent healthcare services, and the other to ensure that people could actually afford them.
That combination was deliberate. It was our way of ensuring we were not only building facilities, but we were also creating access to them.
Fast forward to today: from our humble beginnings of operating just a work-site clinic at a single location, we have grown into a 50-bed hospital network, including a Dialysis Centre, and several worksite clinics.
Let us pause for a moment and ask this simple question: “Why?”
Why should any of this matter?
When we reflect on the staggering facts about our healthcare system on our continent, we will understand why:
Africa carries over 20% of the global disease burden yet has access to only 1% of healthcare resources.
Approximately 48% of Africans lack access to the quality healthcare they need.
Only about 3% of global health workers serve our continent.
In Nigeria alone, the gap in the number of available and qualified doctors, beds, and equipment reflects a system under pressure.
The African healthcare system is the hardest hit by the migration crisis.
These are not mere numbers. They represent real people. Real stories. Real lives.
And far too often, they represent women and children. Which is why this facility matters.
Because now, more women will receive the maternal care they need to safely bring life into the world.
It means more children will get timely diagnoses, life-saving treatments, and a better shot at long, healthier lives.
It means more families will have access to quality and affordable healthcare services that they deserve.
This is what we are building: a healthcare system that leaves no one behind.
Ladies and gentlemen, what you see here today is a reflection of our philosophy—Africapitalism.
The belief that the private sector has a major role to play in our continent’s development.
The belief that we have a responsibility, not just to generate profit but most importantly, to create a lasting impact, to do well and do good.
To solve problems. To improve lives that will transform Africa. And I want to be clear, we are not stopping here.
This achievement is not the end. It is only a springboard.
Our vision has always been bold: to create a network of health solutions that are not only accessible and affordable, but also world-class.
We will continue to empower individuals to live healthier and fuller lives and restore hope in Africa’s healthcare system.
To achieve a developed Africa, we must have healthier Africans.
It is possible. It is achievable, and we will get there.
But we were able to achieve this feat because we have passionate teams across Avon Medical, and the wider Heirs Holdings Group.
A Group that is committed to building solutions that improve lives because we believe Africa’s solutions lie with Africans.
We can achieve major feats because we have people who are committed to our vision.
To our team, I say “thank you”. This day belongs to you.
We are also grateful to the public sector for their unwavering support.
We want to especially appreciate the Lagos State Government and the Ministry of Health for creating an enabling environment that encourages private and public sector collaboration.
This is how we make real progress—together. Collaboratively.
To anyone who uses our facility, we promise you excellent patient care. We are here because of you. Your health matters to us.
I would like to specially acknowledge our frontline medical workers both clinical and non-clinical: we see you. We honour you. And we appreciate your daily efforts, caring for everyone who walks into our facilities.
And finally, to our guests, friends, and supporters, thank you again for being part of this story.
You are helping us write a new chapter in Africa’s healthcare narrative.
We believe that Africa’s future is bright. We believe so much in the potential of the continent.
And today, we celebrate our promise kept.
And we will continually work on our mission to make affordable quality healthcare more accessible.
Thank you.
Dr. Awele Elumelu, OFR