The Lagos University Teaching Hospital, known universally in Nigeria simply as LUTH, is the country’s largest federal teaching hospital. Located on Ishaga Road, Idi-Araba, Surulere, Lagos, it has been delivering tertiary medical care since 1962, affiliated with the University of Lagos College of Medicine. For many Lagosians, LUTH is the most credible public option for serious healthcare, from cancer treatment to complex surgery. But a large number of people simply want to book a medical checkup at LUTH and have no idea where to begin.

The hospital is primarily a referral centre for specialised care. That does not mean a general member of the public cannot access services without a prior referral, they can. But understanding the correct entry points, what to bring, and which pathway to follow makes the difference between a smooth visit and hours of avoidable frustration. This guide walks you through exactly how to book a medical checkup at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, step by step.

How to Book a Medical Checkup at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in 2026

Booking a medical checkup at LUTH is not a single-step online process. There is no centralised booking portal for routine checkups, the pathway depends on whether you need general screening or specialist-level review. Once you understand how the hospital organises patient access, the process becomes straightforward.

What LUTH Is and Why It Matters for Your Checkup

LUTH is not a clinic. It is a foremost federal tertiary hospital with over 950 admission beds, forty-six clinical departments, eighteen non-clinical departments, and a total staff strength of more than 2,300 medical and administrative personnel. The hospital serves an enormous patient population across Lagos State and receives referrals from across the entire south-west geopolitical zone.

For medical checkups specifically, LUTH offers two main service tracks. The first is the General Outpatient Department, commonly called GOPD, which handles routine consultations and initial screenings for members of the public who walk in without a prior specialist referral. The second is the hospital’s specialist clinic system, which requires a referral letter from a primary care provider or another physician.

The hospital also maintains a Diagnostic Centre, a VIP Clinic for patients seeking more streamlined access, and a comprehensive laboratory system capable of handling advanced investigations. These facilities exist within the main campus and serve patients who arrive through the appropriate channels described below.

Which Pathway Is Right for You

Before you set foot in Idi-Araba, you need to decide which of LUTH’s three patient entry points applies to your situation.

The General Outpatient Department (GOPD)

This is the correct entry point for most Nigerians who want a routine medical checkup without any existing referral. LUTH’s own patient guide confirms that anyone requiring a general consultation may present at the General Outpatient Clinics, where specialist family physicians attend to patients. You do not need a referral letter to access GOPD. You walk in, register, pay the required fees, and are seen by a doctor.

At the GOPD level, the attending physicians, which include family medicine specialists and resident doctors, will assess your health, take your history, and determine what investigations are appropriate. Common checkup investigations ordered at this stage include blood pressure measurement, blood glucose testing, full blood count, liver function tests, kidney function tests, urinalysis, and chest assessment. If the doctor feels you require specialist review, they will generate an internal referral to the appropriate department.

Specialist Clinic Access (Referral Required)

If your checkup need is specific, say, a cardiology review, a gynaecological screening, or follow-up on a previously identified condition, you will need a referral letter from a physician. LUTH’s patient guide is explicit on this: to access specialist care, you must first ask your current care provider to refer you to the appropriate unit within LUTH, then present that referral at the relevant clinic. Each specialist clinic runs on specific days of the week, so you will need to confirm the clinic schedule from the hospital directly.

The VIP Clinic

LUTH also maintains a VIP Clinic, which is designed for patients who want a more private and expedited experience. The VIP Clinic functions within the hospital’s broader service structure and is intended for patients seeking managed access outside the general queue. To access this clinic, contact the hospital directly at the phone number or email listed in the contact section of this guide. Fees for the VIP Clinic differ from standard GOPD rates, and specific current figures should be confirmed with the hospital before your visit, as rates are subject to revision.

Step-by-Step: How to Book a Medical Checkup at LUTH Through GOPD

For most people, the GOPD route is the most practical starting point. Here is the process in plain terms.

Step 1: Arrive Early

LUTH is a high-volume institution. The General Outpatient Department and all clinic services operate Monday to Friday, with most clinics running between 8:00 AM and the early afternoon. Public holidays are excluded. Patients who arrive early in the morning are more likely to be attended to within the same day. Arriving by 7:30 AM is advisable, particularly for new patients who still need to register for a hospital card.

Step 2: Proceed to Medical Records and Registration

New patients must obtain a hospital card, which is processed at the Medical Records desk. This is a one-time registration where your biographical information is recorded, your full name, date of birth, address, occupation, and contact details. You will be assigned a unique patient number and a card that you will bring to every subsequent visit. Do not lose this card. It is your identity within the hospital’s filing system, and losing it creates administrative delays.

Old patients, those who have previously registered and hold a hospital card, submit their card at the Medical Records desk to have their file retrieved. From that point, both new and old patients follow the same route to the revenue point.

Step 3: Pay the Consultation Fee at the Revenue Desk

After registration, patients proceed to the revenue point to pay the consultation fee. Because LUTH is a federal government hospital, consultation fees at the GOPD level are heavily subsidised compared to private facilities. The exact amount is subject to periodic revision by hospital management and the Federal Ministry of Health, so you should confirm the current rate either by calling the hospital or checking the official LUTH website at luth.gov.ng before your visit. Carrying at least a few thousand naira in cash is generally advisable, as some revenue points in public hospitals are not yet fully cashless.

Step 4: Collect a Serial Number and Wait

Once payment is processed, patients are assigned a serial number for the day. This number determines your position in the consultation queue. A nurse or desk officer will call numbers progressively. The waiting time varies significantly depending on patient volume that day. In a hospital serving millions of Lagos residents, waiting periods can range from one hour to several hours. Bringing a book, phone, or something to occupy your time is practical.

Step 5: Consultation with the Doctor

When your number is called, you will be directed to a consulting room where a physician will see you. The doctor will take your history, conduct a physical examination, and discuss your health concerns. For a general medical checkup, this conversation is your opportunity to be thorough, mention any symptoms you have noticed, medications you are currently taking, your family history of illnesses, and any lifestyle factors you want assessed.

Based on this consultation, the doctor will issue investigation requests. These are essentially laboratory or diagnostic slips authorising specific tests. You take these slips to the relevant laboratory or diagnostic unit within the hospital.

Step 6: Laboratory Investigations

LUTH has a comprehensive laboratory system capable of conducting a wide range of investigations in-house. Depending on what your doctor orders, you may visit the Chemical Pathology department (for blood chemistry, lipid profiles, blood glucose, and metabolic tests), the Haematology department (for full blood count and blood banking services), or Radiodiagnosis (for imaging such as X-rays and ultrasounds). Each unit has its own payment process for tests, and results timelines vary by investigation type, some tests return results on the same day, while more specialised panels may take longer.

Step 7: Review of Results

Once your results are ready, you return to the doctor, either the same day or at a subsequent appointment, for review. At this point, the physician will interpret your results, give you a summary of your health status, and advise on any further action. If a specialist referral is needed based on your results, the doctor will generate an internal referral letter directing you to the appropriate department.

What to Bring to Your LUTH Checkup Appointment

Arriving prepared saves time at every stage. For a first-time visit to LUTH for a medical checkup, bring the following:

A valid government-issued identity document, your national ID card, international passport, driver’s licence, or voter’s card. You will need this for registration.

Your NHIS card, if you are enrolled in the National Health Insurance Authority scheme. LUTH accepts NHIA enrolees, and presenting your card ensures your consultation is processed correctly under the scheme.

A referral letter, if you have one from a previous doctor. Even if you plan to use the GOPD route, bringing any existing medical records, previous test results, scan reports, or letters from private hospitals, helps the LUTH physician make a more informed assessment.

Cash for consultation and investigation fees. While exact figures change with hospital tariff revisions, you should expect to pay for registration, the consultation itself, and each laboratory test separately. Having between five thousand and twenty thousand naira available covers most routine checkup costs at a public teaching hospital, though this is a general range and not a precise current figure. For specialist consultations or more extensive investigations, costs can exceed this range.

A pen and a small notepad or your phone for noting down what the doctor tells you, particularly medication instructions or follow-up dates.

How to Access LUTH’s Specialist Clinics for Targeted Checkups

If your checkup need is specific to a body system, heart health, kidney function, eye health, obstetric screening, or another defined area, you need to access the specialist outpatient clinic system, not GOPD.

LUTH runs medical outpatient clinics (MOP I and MOP II) and surgical outpatient clinics (SOP II) on specific days of the week. There are also paediatric outpatient clinics for children. Each specialist department, Cardiology, Nephrology, Ophthalmology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Orthopaedic Surgery, Neurosurgery, ENT, and others, has designated clinic days.

To confirm which days the clinic relevant to your needs runs, contact LUTH directly. The hospital’s official contact information is: Ishaga Road, Idi-Araba, Lagos; phone number +234 812 684 3334; and email addresses info@luth.gov.ng and pr@luth.gov.ng. When you call, specify the department you need and ask for the clinic day schedule.

To attend a specialist clinic, you must present a valid referral letter from a physician. The referral letter should include your name, the referring doctor’s name and institution, a brief summary of your complaint or health history, and the specific department or specialty you are being referred to. On clinic day, arrive early, present your referral at the relevant clinic reception, and follow the registration and payment process outlined above.

LUTH and the NHIA: What Health Insurance Enrollees Should Know

If you are enrolled under the National Health Insurance Authority (formerly NHIS), LUTH is a registered tertiary facility under the scheme. NHIA-enrolled patients accessing LUTH should note that the scheme typically requires a referral from a primary care provider registered under your HMO before you can access specialist services at a tertiary level. Walk-in access through GOPD is still possible, but your HMO may not fund consultations not routed through the formal referral chain.

If your employer’s health insurance plan covers tertiary hospital care, contact your HMO to confirm the correct process before visiting LUTH. Some HMOs have pre-authorisation requirements for certain investigations, and skipping this step could result in you bearing out-of-pocket costs that your insurance would otherwise cover.

What a Routine Medical Checkup at LUTH Typically Covers

A standard general medical checkup, as ordered by a GOPD physician at a federal teaching hospital like LUTH, will typically include the following components, though the precise set of tests depends on your age, your stated complaints, and clinical findings during the physical examination.

Blood pressure measurement is assessed at every general consultation. Hypertension is extremely prevalent among Nigerians, and identifying it early is one of the most important outcomes of a routine checkup. Blood glucose testing checks for diabetes or pre-diabetic states, which are increasingly being diagnosed in Nigerians in their twenties and thirties. A full blood count gives the doctor a picture of your blood cells and can flag conditions like anaemia or infection. Liver function tests and kidney function tests assess the health of two organs under particular pressure from lifestyle factors common in urban Nigeria, including alcohol use, analgesic overuse, and dietary patterns. Urinalysis provides a quick read on kidney and urinary tract health. A lipid profile measures cholesterol levels and cardiovascular risk factors.

For women, gynaecological screening, including cervical cancer screening via Pap smear, is available through the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department. For men over forty, prostate-specific antigen testing is commonly recommended. Depending on your specific history, the physician may also request a chest X-ray, an electrocardiogram, or other investigations.

Fasting is required for certain blood tests, particularly fasting blood glucose and lipid profiles. For tests requiring a fasting state, you must avoid food and caloric drinks for eight to twelve hours before sample collection. Water is permitted. Your doctor will indicate on the investigation slip which tests require fasting.

Practical Tips for a Smoother Experience at LUTH

LUTH is a large, busy public hospital. Managing your expectations going in, and preparing practically, makes a real difference.

Arrive very early. The general recommendation across Nigerian teaching hospitals is to be at the facility before or at 8:00 AM. Registration and queue numbers fill quickly, and late arrivals routinely miss same-day consultations.

Dress appropriately for a medical examination. Wear clothing that can be easily adjusted for blood pressure cuffs on your upper arm and for physical examination of the chest and abdomen. Avoid heavily layered outfits.

Do not eat breakfast on the morning of your visit if you intend to do blood glucose or lipid tests. It is much more efficient to arrive fasted so that blood can be taken immediately after your consultation, rather than requiring a return visit another day.

Know your medical history. Before arriving, write down any medications you currently take, including their names and dosages, any previous diagnoses, and any symptoms or concerns you want to discuss. Consulting physicians work more effectively when patients can give clear, organised histories.

Keep your hospital card safe. Once you have registered and received your patient card, store it in a safe place at home. Losing it creates an administrative burden and slows your next visit.

Do not rely on touts or unofficial guides inside or around the hospital premises. LUTH, like many major public hospitals in Nigeria, attracts people who prey on confused new patients by offering to help them skip queues or access services faster for a fee. Use only the official desks and channels described in this guide.

LUTH’s Contact Details and How to Reach Them Before Your Visit

Confirming current fees, clinic schedules, and specific departmental information before you travel to the hospital saves time. LUTH’s officially published contact information is as follows.

Address: Ishaga Road, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria.

Phone: +234 812 684 3334.

Email: info@luth.gov.ng and pr@luth.gov.ng.

Website: www.luth.gov.ng.

The hospital’s patient guide and clinic schedule pages are accessible on the website. The clinic schedule page lists each outpatient clinic and the days it runs. Before visiting for a specialist clinic specifically, it is worth calling the hospital to verify current clinic days, as schedules can shift around public holidays and institutional events.

Conclusion

Getting a medical checkup at Lagos University Teaching Hospital is entirely possible for any member of the public, whether or not you have a referral. The General Outpatient Department is your starting point if you have no prior specialist referral, walk in early, register, pay the consultation fee, and a family medicine physician will assess you and order the appropriate investigations. If you need specialist-level review, you need a referral letter from a doctor and to attend the relevant clinic on its designated day.

What LUTH offers that few other facilities in Nigeria can match is depth, a fully integrated diagnostic centre, laboratories equipped for advanced testing, and consultant physicians across forty-six clinical departments, all under one roof. The process demands patience, early mornings, and some logistical preparation, but for Nigerians who want rigorous, credible medical screening backed by institutional expertise, it remains one of the best public options in the country.

Confirm current fees and clinic schedules by calling the hospital at +234 812 684 3334 before your visit. Medical tariffs at federal teaching hospitals are subject to revision, and the most accurate information always comes from the hospital directly.