…World-class facility targets Nigerians seeking treatment abroad
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!…Diaspora doctors show interest as hospital prepares for commissioning
…Ex-NMA Chair says project could drive medical brain gain
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has declared the state ready to compete on the global healthcare stage as he inspected the newly completed Enugu International Hospital, describing the facility as a strategic investment designed to transform specialised healthcare delivery and position Enugu as a leading medical tourism destination in Africa.
Mbah made the declaration on Thursday evening following a pre-launch walkthrough of the imposing facility located on Rangers Avenue, Independence Layout, Enugu.
The governor said the hospital had been equipped with state-of-the-art medical technology and was designed to provide highly specialised diagnostic and therapeutic services that have traditionally compelled Nigerians to seek treatment abroad.
He said the project was the outcome of a deliberate healthcare agenda introduced by his administration to move Enugu beyond conventional healthcare delivery and establish a world-class medical ecosystem capable of attracting patients, professionals and investments from across the globe.
“If you recall our manifesto during our campaign for office, we made it clear that we were committed to making Enugu a medical tourism hub on the continent.
“We knew the size of that market and wanted to have a good share of that market. But we knew also that it was never going to be wished into existence.
“We knew that we needed to do things differently and build a world-class facility and, most importantly, attract top-notch professionals to provide services. We cannot wait to welcome the world to Enugu,” Mbah said.
The governor said the hospital was particularly significant given the number of Nigerians who travel to countries including India, Turkey, the United States and the United Kingdom for specialised medical treatment.
According to him, Enugu’s strategy is to provide Nigerians with access to advanced healthcare at home while ensuring that a significant portion of the money currently spent on overseas medical treatment remains within the Nigerian economy.
“We have quite a lot of Ndi Enugu, and Nigerians who travel to India, Turkey, the United States, and the United Kingdom to seek medical attention. So, what we are asking for is just a fraction of what they would have spent overseas for the same quality services,” he said.
Mbah noted that the limited availability of advanced diagnostic services in Nigeria had created a major gap in healthcare delivery, stressing that the new facility would help address some of those deficiencies.
He particularly highlighted the hospital’s capacity to provide advanced oncology services, noting that patients would have access not only to sophisticated diagnosis but also to treatment.
“We felt that if we want to compete globally, then we must also have the ability to provide advanced oncology services. Therefore, we are not only able to give you an advanced diagnosis, but we’re also able to treat.
“So, both diagnostically and therapeutically, the place to come to is right here in Enugu,” he said.
The governor also revealed that the hospital had generated significant interest among Nigerian medical professionals practising abroad, describing the development as an encouraging sign that the country’s medical brain drain could gradually give way to brain gain.
“We have also received an outpouring of interest from our healthcare professionals in the diaspora. Some of them were doing well here at some point and now went overseas to practice.
“They are now happy to come back home and give back to the society that nurtured them. We are excited about that,” Mbah stated.
He explained that the hospital’s vision extends beyond its physical infrastructure, noting that telemedicine, digital healthcare and electronic medical systems would enable the facility to tap into expertise from medical professionals around the world.
“Of course, you may be in love with the building and the equipment, but you should also engage professionals from across the globe.
“You see this in our commitment to telemedicine, digital and electronic medical practices and equipment,” he explained.
Mbah further linked the hospital to his administration’s broader economic development agenda, saying healthcare and security remain critical considerations for investors when deciding where to establish businesses.
He said the state’s investments in healthcare had been deliberately structured across the primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary levels as part of his administration’s vision of growing Enugu’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion.
“If you look at our intervention in the healthcare sector, from the primary healthcare to the secondary, tertiary, and now the quaternary, it is intentional.
“We are investing heavily in security and healthcare because we know that these are what investors would ask you: ‘Am I safe? If I fall sick, would I have a place where I can get quality medical attention?’” he said.
The governor added that the hospital would create employment opportunities while stimulating economic activity within the state.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Enugu International Hospital, Prof. Sam Agwu, said the facility would operate six major specialty centres designed to provide highly specialised services.
According to him, the Cancer Centre will offer medical, surgical and nuclear medicine therapeutics and diagnostics.
The Heart and Vascular Centre of Excellence will provide cardiology consultation and diagnostics, electrophysiology and arrhythmia care, coronary care, acute cardiac pathways, interventional cardiology and cath-lab procedures, heart-failure and cardiac rehabilitation clinics, vascular assessment and collaborative surgical care.
The Neurosciences Centre will focus on stroke, epilepsy, brain and spine tumours and neurosurgical procedures, while the Renal and Transplant Centre of Excellence will provide services covering chronic kidney disease, nephrology review, dialysis support and transplant assessment.
Agwu added that the hospital would also provide wellness and regenerative medicine services, alongside departments covering mother and child care, general surgery, ENT, dental and ophthalmology services.
Former Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Enugu State, Dr. Sunday Nwafor, described the hospital as a landmark development capable of reshaping the state’s medical landscape.
Nwafor said the availability of modern infrastructure, sophisticated equipment and an international-standard working environment would make it easier for Nigerian doctors to practise at home.
“Going forward, our doctors have a place of international standard where they can practice with state-of-the-art equipment and also earn well,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the facility would contribute to reversing the migration of Nigerian medical professionals abroad by providing better opportunities for doctors within the country.
With its advanced specialty centres, modern diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities, digital healthcare infrastructure and growing interest from professionals in the diaspora, the Enugu International Hospital is poised to become a major component of Enugu’s healthcare and economic transformation.
The facility also represents a strategic attempt to change the direction of medical tourism — from Nigerians travelling abroad for specialised treatment to international patients considering Enugu as a destination for quality healthcare.
As the commissioning approaches, Governor Mbah’s message is unmistakable: Enugu is no longer preparing merely to participate in the global healthcare conversation; it is positioning itself to compete for a place at the table.
“We cannot wait to welcome the world to Enugu.”
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