Nigeria Has All It Takes To Become Destination Medical Tourism – Says Osinbajo

WHEN it comes to health sector, Nigeria has world-class ideas and talents, only needs more investment to make the country a destination of medical tourists, even from developed countries, Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has stated.

Osinbajo stated this on Friday while commissioning a new state-of-the-art medical facility named Duchess International Hospital, under the Reddington Hospitals group.

The Vice President said the opening of the new hospital is a cause for celebration because it shows that Nigeria has all it takes to become the place of choice for even medical tourists from developed countries.

He noted that the establishment of such medical facilities would not only further provide more Nigerians with excellent healthcare solutions, but it would also open more opportunities to the country’s high quality medical personnel.

He said, “we have all it takes to become the place of choice for even medical tourists from developed countries looking to jump long queues for specialized procedures at home or simply shopping for more affordable fees for first class healthcare.”

He added, “we have by far the largest number of middle- to low-income communities and individuals in sub–Saharan Africa who require affordable, high-quality healthcare.

“With investments like this seeking high quality medical personnel, we can even reverse the trend of doctors voting with their feet. The reasons for voting with their feet are obvious: better remuneration, better facilities. But again, only serious private sector investment in high quality healthcare services offering top compensation for its personnel could possibly create an attractive proposition to reverse the trend,” the Vice President said.

The VP compared the medical facility to the best hospitals in the world both in medical and aesthetic standards.

“This hospital has bragging rights. It comes from the Reddington family, a clinical health brand that has earned a strong reputation for high standards in healthcare, top notch personnel, including many highly reputed Nigerian doctors in diaspora and best of all, it is all Nigerian,” Osinbajo noted.

He described the event as an occasion that celebrates “the convergence of so many possibilities, and such great promise. I am extremely proud to be a part of this phenomenal achievement and the great future that it portends for health care services in Nigeria.

“It is, therefore, my great pleasure and privilege to officially commission the Duchess International Hospital to the glory of God and for the benefit of Nigerians and all those who may seek excellent healthcare from anywhere in the world.”

The Hospital management said the mission of the hospital is “to reverse medical tourism by delivering the highest standards of care, using the most advanced technology and treatments to give you the fastest, most convenient access to the best medical expertise available anywhere in the world.”