Lagos Government Acts Swiftly To Restore Badagry Health Centre Overrun By Snakes.
The Lagos State Government has launched urgent measures to rehabilitate the Pota Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Badagry, which has been overrun by snakes and fallen into severe disrepair. The intervention follows alarming reports from residents, who shared photographs of reptiles killed within the facility, highlighting its dire condition. The centre, serving over 15 towns and 40 communities, had become a crumbling, snake-infested structure, unfit for medical services.
The distressing situation came to light after Badagry Today published images of snakes found in critical areas of the PHC, including the labour room, doctor’s office, reception, laboratory, and toilets. Nurses, speaking anonymously to avoid reprisals, revealed that more than 20 snakes had been killed in recent months, with the facility lacking a steady power supply and operating in near-darkness. The centre’s decay has forced many residents to seek costly private healthcare, exacerbating challenges in a region already grappling with poor infrastructure, such as the dilapidated Mowo–Ikoga–Zebbe Road.
In response, the Lagos State Government, under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has committed to reconstructing the PHC to restore its functionality. The Ministry of Health is coordinating efforts to clear the facility of reptiles, repair structural damage, and install essential amenities like electricity. The initiative aligns with the state’s THEMES Plus Agenda, which prioritises inclusive healthcare and infrastructure development. A government spokesperson confirmed that contractors have been mobilised to begin work, with plans to equip the centre to meet modern healthcare standards.
Local residents have expressed relief at the government’s swift action. Community leader Adebayo Ogunleye said, “This intervention is long overdue. The PHC is vital for our communities, and its condition was a danger to patients and staff alike.” Health workers also welcomed the move, noting that a restored facility would improve maternal and child care services, which have been severely hampered.
The government’s response has drawn praise, though some residents question why the facility was allowed to deteriorate while new health centres, such as one recently commissioned in Ajido, were prioritised. Experts have urged the state to complement the reconstruction with long-term maintenance plans and investments in local infrastructure to prevent similar neglect. The Lagos State Government has also appealed to corporate organisations and community leaders to support the upkeep of public facilities, ensuring their sustainability.
With rehabilitation underway, there is renewed hope that the Pota PHC will once again serve as a lifeline for Badagry’s communities, delivering quality healthcare in a safe environment.