The Nigerian government says the country is set to become a destination for medical tourists.
The Information and Culture Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed disclosed this on Tuesday when he embarked on a guided tour of the Duchess International Hospital facility located in Ikeja, Lagos, South West Nigeria.
Dr. Adeshida Yewande, a Senior Medical Doctor explaining a procedure to the Minister during a tour of the Cardiology Center in #DuchessHospital /1 pic.twitter.com/wA8LMSVNFB
— Fed Min of Info & Cu (@FMICNigeria) May 10, 2022
The Minister said the services coming from the facility will cut down the 500 billion naira Nigerians spend on medical tourism annually, a move that will conserve foreign reserve and increase foreign exchange.
The philosophy of the Duchess International hospital is to bring a world class health care at an affordable rate while still maintaining the elitist standard.
Dr. Adeshida Yewande, a Senior Medical Doctor explaining a procedure to the Minister during a tour of the Cardiology Center in #DuchessHospital /2 pic.twitter.com/CgjX5bZqnh
— Fed Min of Info & Cu (@FMICNigeria) May 10, 2022
By so doing, medical tourism trend will reduce in Nigeria.
Presently Medical tourists from many Sub Saharan part of Africa have been trooping the facility to access medical care.
“This purpose-built, state-of-the-art, 100-bed hospital, which is aimed at delivering the highest standard of healthcare, using the most advanced technology and treatments to provide Nigerians with the best medical expertise available anywhere in the world.”
One of the reasons #DuchessHospital is our first choice of where to deliver critical care is that they have the equipment and space, properly configured…
This is more than you will find in any other hospital in this part of the world-Head of Critical Care, Dr. Babaseyi Olusola /1 pic.twitter.com/uD8RVlk827
— Fed Min of Info & Cu (@FMICNigeria) May 10, 2022
The Minister said the Federal Government, through the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Bank of Industry, provided financial support for Duchess International Hospital.
Recall also that in the wake of Covid-19, the CBN set up the N100 billion Healthcare Sector Intervention Fund, now expanded to N200 billion, to provide credit support for the healthcare sector through long-term, low-cost financing.
Also the Federal Government’s Intervention in the Healthcare Sector through the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).
According to him, the essence of these financial interventions and projects in the critical healthcare sector is to fast-track the evolvement of world class healthcare facilities like this Duchess International Hospital.
“With that, we can conserve our foreign reserves, earn foreign exchange for the country, create jobs, reverse brain drain, become a destination for medical tourists and also ensure affordable and standard healthcare for Nigerians.”
According to available records, Nigerians spend between USD1.2 and USD1.6 billion on medical tourism. That’s a huge drain on foreign reserves.
“Also, in order to retain doctors, our healthcare facilities must be equipped to world standard level and doctors and other healthcare workers must be adequately remunerated.
“Of course, facilities like Duchess International are veritable tools for job creation, in additional to attracting medical tourists from across the world.”
The CEO of the Duchess International Hospital, Dr. Tokunbo Shita Bay said the target is basically to reduce medical tourism and at the same time provide world class, yet affordable health care services for families and the community.
He said the management of the facility will ensure competitiveness with the highest standard because it is a clarion call to service.
The facility provides world class treatment in in many areas, including emergency medicine, women’s health, pediatric care, cardiovascular medicine, kidney dialysis, dental treatment, eye care, and many others.