Inside Calabar’s Forgotten Infectious Disease Hospital
The Hospital Meant to Fight Infectious Diseases
TUCKED away along New Edgerley Road in Calabar, behind Zenith Bank’s Chamley Branch and a short distance from the bustling Watt Market, stands the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH), officially known as the Dr. Lawrence Henshaw Memorial Hospital.
Established to serve as a frontline facility for the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases, the hospital now presents a picture that many residents and healthcare observers describe as deeply troubling.
Recent findings indicate that much of the facility has fallen into disrepair, raising concerns about the state of healthcare infrastructure and public health preparedness in Cross River State.
A Facility Running on External Support
Investigations reveal that the hospital’s laboratory remains the only fully functional unit within the facility.
The laboratory continues to provide critical services for patients living with HIV, Tuberculosis, Leprosy and other infectious diseases. However, reports suggest that its operations are sustained largely through support from development partners and non-governmental organisations rather than direct government investment.
The dependence on donor-funded interventions has sparked questions about the sustainability of healthcare services in a facility that plays a strategic role in disease control and public health management.
Healthcare advocates argue that infectious disease hospitals require consistent government support because they serve as critical centres for disease surveillance, testing, treatment and emergency response.
Infrastructure in Decline
Beyond the laboratory, the physical condition of the hospital has become a source of growing concern.
Several buildings reportedly suffer from leaking roofs, while others have partially collapsed roofing structures. Patients and staff are said to operate in facilities affected by years of inadequate maintenance.
Even more concerning is the reported absence of public electricity supply within the hospital premises.
Available information indicates that the only reliable source of power is a solar system installed through NGO support, primarily to keep laboratory equipment operational.
Observers note that uninterrupted electricity is vital for healthcare delivery, particularly in facilities handling infectious diseases where laboratory testing, refrigeration of medical supplies and diagnostic procedures depend heavily on stable power.
Budgetary Questions and Public Expectations
The condition of the hospital has generated renewed debate over healthcare funding and budget implementation in Cross River State.
The state’s 2025 budget reportedly allocated approximately ₦25 billion to the health sector under the administration of Governor Bassey Otu. While government officials have pointed to ongoing investments in healthcare delivery, residents continue to question how much of those allocations have translated into visible improvements at critical public health institutions such as IDH Calabar.
The situation has intensified calls for greater transparency regarding healthcare spending, project execution and infrastructure rehabilitation across state-owned medical facilities.
Residents Demand Action
Residents and healthcare stakeholders allege that despite periodic official visits to the hospital, little progress has been made toward addressing its deteriorating condition.
Some community members claim that inspections often generate publicity without resulting in substantial intervention.
While these claims have not been independently verified, they reflect growing public frustration over what many perceive as years of neglect.
Why the Hospital Matters
The challenges facing IDH Calabar extend beyond the condition of a single hospital.
Public health experts note that infectious disease facilities occupy a unique position within healthcare systems. Their effectiveness directly affects disease prevention, outbreak response, public safety and overall healthcare resilience.
As Nigeria continues to confront infectious diseases and emerging health threats, the state of facilities such as the Dr. Lawrence Henshaw Memorial Hospital raises broader questions about healthcare priorities, infrastructure investment and preparedness for future public health emergencies.
For many residents, the issue is no longer merely about a hospital building. It is about ensuring that a critical institution responsible for protecting public health receives the attention, funding and support necessary to fulfill its mandate.
