Paediatrics in Lagos
NICU in Lagos: neonatal intensive care in Ikeja, priced by the day
Treatment in Lagos with the price set out before you book.
Published prices
NICU Care, Neonatal Intensive Care
- Neonatal intensive care, per day₦195,000
- Ventilator, per day₦325,000
- Continuous oxygen, per day₦35,000
- Phototherapy for jaundice, per day₦35,000
Prices last checked 22 October 2026.
NICU Care, Neonatal Intensive Care at Mezo Health: neonatal intensive care, per day, ₦195,000. It covers a NICU cot with continuous monitoring, neonatal nursing day and night, and daily review by the paediatric team. Prices last checked 22 October 2026.
Haven Paediatrics in GRA, Ikeja runs a three-cot neonatal intensive care unit inside a 24-hour children's hospital, for babies born early or small, babies with jaundice that needs light treatment or an exchange transfusion, and babies who need help with breathing, feeding or an infection. The daily rate and every add-on are published here, so a family knows the cost of each day before it is agreed. A baby in danger right now needs the nearest neonatal unit, not a booking: go now, and call us once your baby is safe.
Also called: NICU, Neonatal intensive care unit, Special care baby unit, SCBU, Baby unit, Newborn intensive care
Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Published price
₦195,000
Neonatal intensive care, per day
The cot, neonatal nursing and the doctors' daily care. Medicines, tests and breathing support are added per day where needed.
What the price covers
- A NICU cot with continuous monitoring
- Neonatal nursing day and night
- Daily review by the paediatric team
- Help with breastfeeding and expressing milk
- Parents welcome at the cot side
What it does not cover
- Medicines, blood tests and scans, billed as used and shown to you daily
- Blood for a transfusion, which a blood bank supplies at its cost
- Surgery, which needs a neonatal surgical unit
- Transport by ambulance into or out of the unit
Related prices
Neonatal intensive care, per day
The cot, neonatal nursing and the doctors' daily care. Medicines, tests and breathing support are added per day where needed.
₦195,000
Ventilator, per day
₦325,000
Continuous oxygen, per day
₦35,000
Phototherapy for jaundice, per day
₦35,000
Incubator care, per day
₦100,000
Exchange blood transfusion, excluding the blood
The blood itself is supplied by a blood bank and billed at its cost.
₦520,000
What would change this price
- Breathing support: oxygen or a ventilator is added per day while it is needed
- Phototherapy per day, or an exchange transfusion, for jaundice
- The number of days, which depends on how early or unwell your baby is
- Moving to an incubator or a cot on the ward as your baby improves, which costs less per day
Many HMO plans cover paediatric admission and neonatal care with prior authorisation. Give the desk your HMO number and it files the request. If the plan declines, you are told the cash price before anything is agreed.
Who this is for
- Babies born before 37 weeks, or born small, who need warmth, feeding support or monitoring
- Newborn jaundice high enough to need phototherapy or an exchange transfusion
- Breathing difficulty after birth that needs oxygen or a ventilator
- Suspected or confirmed infection (neonatal sepsis) needing antibiotics through a drip
- Low blood sugar, feeding problems or poor weight gain that need close watching
- A baby stepping down from another unit, or born elsewhere and referred, who still needs neonatal care
When it is not the right answer
- If your baby is struggling to breathe, turning blue, fitting, floppy, very cold or hot, or not feeding, go to the nearest hospital with a neonatal unit now, or call 112. Do not wait for a booking or a call back.
- A baby who needs an operation, such as for a blocked bowel or an abdominal wall defect, who needs a neonatal surgical unit
- A baby who needs heart surgery or a specialist cardiac unit
The pathway, step by step
- 1
Call or request a place
A doctor or a parent tells us about the baby. A coordinator checks a cot is free and confirms the daily rate before transfer.
- 2
Admission₦195,000
Your baby is examined on arrival and a plan is made: warmth, feeding, breathing support, light treatment or antibiotics as needed.
- 3
Daily review and a daily bill
The team reviews your baby every day and tells you what was used. Breathing support and phototherapy are added only on the days they are needed.
- 4
Step down₦100,000
As your baby improves, care moves from the NICU cot to an incubator or a cot beside you, at a lower daily rate.
- 5
Home, with follow-up
Discharge once your baby is feeding, gaining weight and keeping warm, with a paediatrician review booked.
What happens afterwards
In the unit
A baby born a few weeks early may need days; a baby born very early may need weeks. The team gives you an honest estimate and updates it.
First weeks at home
Feeding, weight, jaundice and breathing checked at the first paediatrician review.
First year
Growth, development, hearing and eyes checked at the intervals the paediatrician sets, especially for babies born early.
Risks and limits you should know
- Babies in intensive care are unwell, and the outlook depends on why they are there. The team explains your baby's situation honestly and daily.
- Infection from drips and tubes, which the unit works hard to prevent
- Some babies need a transfer to a larger unit for surgery or care this unit does not provide
Every treatment has limits and side effects. Yours are explained before you start, and you can always say no.
Questions people ask
How much does NICU cost in Lagos?
At Haven Paediatrics through Mezo, a NICU day is ₦195,000. A ventilator adds ₦325,000 a day and continuous oxygen ₦35,000 a day, only on the days they are used. Medicines and tests are billed as used and shown to you daily.
My baby needs a NICU right now. What do I do?
Go to the nearest hospital with a neonatal unit now, or call 112. Do not wait for a booking. Once your baby is safe, we can arrange a transfer or follow-up care.
Can parents stay with the baby?
Parents are welcome at the cot side, and mothers are supported to breastfeed or express milk. The unit will tell you its hand-washing and visiting rules.
How long will my baby stay?
It depends on how early your baby was born and why they need care. Many babies with jaundice need only a few days. A baby born very early can need weeks. You get an estimate on admission, updated as things change.
Can my baby be moved here from another hospital?
Yes, when a cot is free and your baby is stable enough to travel. The referring doctor speaks to the Haven team first, and the daily rate is confirmed before the move.
Does HMO cover NICU?
Many plans do, with prior authorisation. Give the desk your HMO number and it files the request. If cover is declined, you are told the cash price before anything is agreed.
Prices shown are Mezo cash prices in naira and were last checked on 22 October 2026. The consultation fee is the same whatever is found. Anything that follows, such as medication, tests or further sessions, is priced and agreed with you before it starts.