The Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos has inaugurated a new medical facility in Maryland, aiming to provide professional healthcare at reduced costs for city residents struggling with expensive private hospitals.

The St. Agnes Catholic Medical Centre was blessed yesterday by the Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, in a ceremony attended by parishioners, health workers, and community leaders.

“This building will be a place of succour for those who are ill, where they can approach healthcare with confidence that they will get the best possible treatment. Compared to other facilities with the same equipment, the cost here will be cheaper in consultations, medication, and overall service delivery,” Archbishop Martins said during the blessing, highlighting the centre’s mission to serve both wealthier patients and those unable to pay.

Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Fadairo, the parish priest of St. Agnes, acknowledged the financial challenges of establishing the centre but emphasised the community’s resilience.
“We’re proud of what we have achieved. I envisage it becoming bigger and a place where everyone will want to come for quality healthcare,” he said, noting the church’s commitment to sustaining the project.

For many Lagos residents, the announcement brings cautious optimism. Health experts and community members attending the ceremony noted that the facility’s impact will depend on its ability to balance affordability with professional standards. “If the church can make this affordable, it will help many families who avoid hospitals because of cost,” said one parishioner who declined to be named.

The St. Agnes Catholic Medical Centre is equipped with an Intensive Care Unit and a diagnostic centre, and it is set to begin operations immediately. The development comes as Lagos continues to struggle with high medical bills, overcrowded public hospitals, and the increasing reliance on private facilities.

Archdiocese officials said the centre is part of a broader effort to address healthcare accessibility and to complement existing public and private services.

Martins stressed that the initiative is intended to support the community while maintaining professional standards of care, signalling a renewed role for religious institutions in Lagos’ healthcare landscape.