RismadarVoice Reporters, September 1, 2026
The Lagos State Government has carried out an assessment of the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba, popularly known as Mainland Hospital, as part of measures to strengthen the state’s preparedness for a possible Ebola Virus Disease outbreak.
The state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, disclosed this on Tuesday, saying the assessment was aimed at ensuring that the facility remained fully prepared to respond to any emerging public-health emergency.
According to Abayomi, the review was conducted against the backdrop of the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He said the assessment focused on critical infrastructure, diagnostic facilities and clinical support systems required for the rapid detection, treatment and containment of high-consequence infectious diseases.
The commissioner said he was accompanied by the hospital’s Medical Director, Dr Adejumo, and other senior officials during the inspection.
Areas assessed included the Emergency Operations Centre, laboratory facilities, oxygen supply systems, triage and isolation units, as well as ongoing external works around the hospital.
Abayomi said the exercise also identified maintenance requirements in several sections of the facility, including the Emergency Operations Centre, biobank, pharmacy, catering unit and drainage infrastructure.
He stressed that addressing the identified gaps would help maintain biosafety standards, improve patient care and enhance the hospital’s capacity to handle a potential surge in cases.
The commissioner reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s commitment to strengthening its health-security system and ensuring that the state remains operationally prepared to respond to public-health threats.
The assessment comes amid an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where thousands of confirmed cases and deaths have reportedly been recorded since the outbreak was declared in May 2026.
The development has prompted renewed international efforts to contain the disease, with the United Nations calling for additional funding to support the response.
Although there is no indication that Ebola has been detected in Lagos, the state government’s latest exercise is aimed at ensuring that its isolation, diagnostic and emergency-response systems are ready should the need arise.
