General Hospitals are government-owned healthcare facilities found in every major city and state in Nigeria. Their main purpose is to offer affordable treatment and improve public health. These hospitals have been operating since 1893, and according to our findings, they are meant for every citizen and they operate 24/7.
The Nigerian government has also upgraded many General Hospital facilities—especially in Lagos State—where you will find clean environments and highly skilled medical professionals.
15 Major Things You Need to Know Before Going to a General Hospital in Nigeria
From our research, here are the most important things every patient should know:
1. You Must Buy Everything Needed for Your Treatment
Whether it is gauze, a drip set, or an injection needle, patients are required to buy all treatment materials themselves. Although it is a government hospital, items are not free. Furthermore, laboratory materials needed for tests must also be provided by the patient.
2. No Consultancy Fee
Unlike private hospitals where you pay before seeing a doctor, consultation in a General Hospital is completely free.
3. Hospital Card Costs Only ₦500 When Opening a Folder
Your hospital card contains your medical history and is required for treatment. Most General Hospitals in Lagos issue either an ID-style card or a paper card, depending on their system.
4. Discharge Fees Are Very Affordable
One major reason people prefer General Hospitals is the low discharge fee. It is often about 60% cheaper than what private hospitals charge. For instance, if a private hospital charges ₦50,000, a General Hospital may charge less than ₦7,000.
5. General Hospitals Have Some of the Best Medical Experts
Many of Nigeria’s top medical doctors work in General Hospitals. Some private hospitals cannot afford these specialists, so the government system attracts more experts.
"Give thanks to the Lord for He is good: His love endures forever."
6. You Must Bring Someone to Replace Any Blood Used for You
If you require blood, the hospital will give it to you for free. However, before discharge, you must provide someone to donate and replace the exact amount of blood used. The donor will pay ₦4,500 for screening to ensure the blood is safe and disease-free.
7. They Don’t Allow Relatives to Sleep Overnight With Admitted Patients
Unlike private hospitals that allow a relative to stay with the patient, General Hospitals do not accept this. Their staff are trained to take care of patients without family staying overnight.
8. Your Bill Increases the Longer You Stay
You are charged for each day you occupy a hospital bed. Fortunately, the hospital will discharge you as soon as you are stable, unlike some private hospitals that keep patients longer to increase bills.
9. You Only Pay at the Official Payment Point
No doctor or nurse is allowed to collect money from patients. All payments must be made at the hospital’s payment office, where an official receipt will be issued. Patients are strongly warned not to give money to any staff member.
10. All Bills Must Be Cleared Before Leaving
Patients must settle every bill before discharge. If you delay payment, you will remain in the hospital, and your bill will continue to increase daily.
11. You Need Someone With You for Emergencies
In emergency situations or severe health conditions, you need someone to accompany you. Since you must buy treatment items yourself, you may not be able to walk around to purchase them, especially in urgent cases.
12. Always Go With Money
Although General Hospitals are more affordable, they are not completely free. You may need money for tests, scans, or medications, so go prepared.
13. General Hospitals Have Visiting Hours
Each hospital has specific visiting hours. Below are the general visiting times used in most Lagos State General Hospitals:
- Monday: 4:30pm – 5:30pm
- Tuesday: 4:30pm – 5:30pm
- Wednesday: 4:30pm – 5:30pm
- Thursday: 4:30pm – 5:30pm
- Friday: 4:30pm – 5:30pm
- Saturday: 2:30pm – 4:30pm
- Sunday: 2:30pm – 4:30pm
14. You Must Be Patient
General Hospitals attend to a large number of people daily, and emergency cases may be prioritized over regular issues. You must remain calm and patient to get the best results.
15. You Must Tolerate Some Workers
Some staff may be aggressive or unfriendly due to stress or workload. Not all of them are the same, though. Your goal is to get treatment, so it’s best to ignore annoying behavior and focus on your health.
