Lagos, Nigeria July 21
A shocking public health scandal has emerged from Badagry, Lagos State, where the Pota Primary Health Centre (PHC) has been overrun by snakes and left in a state of ruin. The centre, which serves over 15 towns and 40 communities, now stands as a decaying, snake-infested shadow of a healthcare facility, raising alarm over the safety of mothers, newborns, and vulnerable patients forced to seek care under these hazardous conditions.
A Hospital in Ruins
Images circulating on social media show a facility in utter disrepair: collapsing ceilings, debris-littered floors, and snakes spotted even in critical areas such as the labour ward, doctor’s office, and reception. Medical staff, speaking under anonymity for fear of reprisal, disclosed that over 20 snakes have been killed inside the facility in recent months alone.
To make matters worse, the PHC has no stable electricity. Healthcare workers rely on candles and a single solar bulb at night, as the government has failed to fuel the donated generator. “This hospital lives in darkness,” lamented a staff member. “How can anyone deliver a baby or save lives with candlelight in 2025?”
Empty Promises, Zero Action
Despite repeated complaints to Badagry Local Government, no meaningful action has been taken. The last improvement to the PHC came in 2021, not from the government but through the efforts of Hon. Sesi Oluwaseun Whingan’s Foundation, which donated basic medical equipment. Since then, the centre has been left to deteriorate.
This neglect starkly contrasts with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES Plus Agenda, which claims to prioritize inclusive infrastructure development. While Lagos leaders boast of new projects, residents ask why existing facilities like Pota PHC are abandoned. “Of what use is a new health centre when the ones we have are rotting away?” one resident asked pointedly.
A Growing Health Hazard
Experts warn that the presence of snakes poses a direct health threat, particularly in healthcare environments catering to pregnant women and children. A 2017 GIS-based study identified species such as the West African carpet viper, notorious for severe bites, as prevalent in Nigeria. With staff already battling poor resources, the risk of snakebite now adds a deadly layer to an already broken system.
Access to the centre itself is a nightmare. The Mowo–Ikoga–Zebbe Road, in disrepair for over a decade, becomes impassable during the rainy season, reportedly causing fatal accidents, including children drowning.
Public Anger Mounts
Reactions to the revelations have been fierce. On social media, many mocked Lagos State’s claims of becoming a “global city” while its health centres rot. “I thought they said Tinubu built Lagos,” one user sneered. Others questioned why new projects are prioritized while old ones collapse. “Fix what we have first,” a resident demanded.
So far, the Lagos State Government has issued no official response. Health experts warn that without urgent intervention—structural repairs, pest control, power restoration—Pota PHC risks becoming the epicentre of a major health crisis.
The Way Forward
News House will continue to follow this story and seek responses from the Lagos State Ministry of Health and Badagry Local Government. For now, Badagry residents are left with nothing but snakes, darkness, and broken promises.
Contact: newshouz@gmail.com | Follow us @NewsHouseNG for updates.
