LAGOS TO BECOME MEDICAL TOURISM HUB – HAMZAT
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat has said that there are ongoing plans to develop a Medical Park in the State to attract medical tourists and make Lagos a medical tourism hub in the sub-region.
The Deputy Governor disclosed this in his address at the launch of Duchess Royal Medical Check-Up, an exclusive three-day Comprehensive Total Body Health Screening and Wellness Programme, packaged in collaboration with the Lagos Marriot Hotel, at the weekend in Ikeja.
Citing the National Association of Residential Doctors (NARD), Dr. Hamzat stated that about N576 billion is lost to medical tourism yearly in Nigeria and this intervention is an attempt to make Nigeria grab a large slice of the global medical tourism market size, primarily driven by the increased demand for cheap treatment for various diseases available in the developing countries, which was estimated at $102.6 billion in Y2020.
Speaking further, Dr. Hamzat noted that the State Government has continued to commit funding to the health sector to redress the wave of outbound medical tourism and ensure universal coverage for which quality is an essential component.
He emphasised that the target improvements are not restricted to the physical structures of health facilities but will also involve the provision of specialised care, improved capacity of health workers and incorporation of quality improvement processes.
His words: “As a responsible government, we do understand and acknowledge the important role that private sector plays and, therefore, we are delighted with this ground-breaking partnership between Duchess International Hospital and the Lagos Marriot Hotel”.
“As a responsive government, Lagos State Government is creating an enabling environment for private health establishment through the Office of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and Office of Sustainable Development Goals and Investment. Therefore, it is our belief and hope that such relationships will help to propel the State towards becoming an attractive destination for medical service provision and reduction in medical tourism”, he asserted.
While noting that the collaboration will open windows of opportunity for those who regularly seek the service overseas and provide the opportunity to save the much-needed foreign exchange usually committed to such activities, the Deputy Governor emphasised the need to guarantee and maintain quality service as well as minimise financial barriers during the process.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman, Duchess International Hospital, Dr. Yemi Onabowale, disclosed that the hospital is positioned to deliver clinical excellence and hospitality service with the aim of providing medical treatment for ailments that people treat overseas.
According to the Chairman, “The Duchess Medical Check-Up programme is aimed at reversing medical tourism in the country towards restoring trust and confidence by providing strong clinical governance. It combines excellence in healthcare with a unique experience of hospitality and offers the reassurance of a robust clinical assessment with maximum flexibility and convenience.
He, therefore, thanked the Lagos State Government for the support so far enjoyed by the hospital.
Also in his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer, Duchess International Hospital, Dr. Adetokunbo Shitta-Bey, disclosed that the Duchess Medical Check-Up and Wellness Programme is an in-depth and comprehensive health and wellness evaluation, comprising a three-day full-body medical assessment and complete clinical evaluation in the environment and comfort of Duchess Royal Suites.
He added that the programme entails the use of the most advanced testing technology and specialised medical expertise to deliver the best clinical outcomes on behalf of the clients based on their lifestyle, age and complete medical history.
PAU/TMS/OS
CAPTION:
Pic 1&4: (L-R) Chief Executive Officer, Duchess International Hospital, Dr. Adetokunbo Shitta-Bey; Wife of the Chairman, Mrs. Onabowale; Chairman, Duchess International Hospital, Dr. Yemi Onabowale; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat and representative of the Special Guest, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Mrs. Zora Yusuf, at the launch of the Duchess Royal Medical Check-up, the Lagos Marriott Hotel, Ikeja.
Pic 2: (L-R) Managing Director, Mac-Folly Hospital Ltd, Mr. Chike Ogeah; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat and Chairman, Tristate- Duchess Cardiac Centre, Prof. Kamar Adeleke, at the launch of the Duchess Royal Medical Check-up, at the Lagos Marriott Hotel, Ikeja.
Pic 3: (L-R) Chairman, Tristate-Duchess Cardiac Centre, Prof. Kamar Adeleke; Consultant Plastic Surgeon Duchess Hospital, Dr. Jennifer Cameron; Managing Director, Mac-Folly Hospital Ltd, Mr. Chike Ogeah; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat; representative of the Special Guest, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Mrs. Zora Yusuf; Chief Executive Officer, Duchess International Hospital, Dr. Adetokunbo Shitta-Bey; Chairman, Duchess International Hospital, Dr. Yemi Onabowale and Wife of the Chairman, Mrs. Onabowale during the launch of the Duchess Royal Medical Check-up at the Lagos Marriott Hotel, Ikeja.
