Nigeria is set to have its first specialised hospital for the detection and treatment of cancer.
The $700 million worth 500 bedded hospital is expected to come upstream in the next two years.
According to the Chief Executive Officer, Africa Medical Centre of Excellence, Mr. Brain Deaver, work is already ongoing on the project, which is aimed at halting the trend of brain drain and medical tourism.
Deaver disclosed this on Wednesday when he visited the Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa with his team in Abuja.
Deaver explained that the Africa Medical Centre of Excellence is going to collaborate with Kings College London and some other health care institutions in Nigeria.
He said the hospital will also be involved in training and research.
Africa Medical Centre of Excellence boss who sought the collaboration of NiDCOM said the project will help make Nigeria a hub in healthcare and consequently reverse the current trend of brain drain and medical tourism.
Brian said, “The hospital which is a significant capital project is being sponsored and funded by an African Bank, a large funding institution. It is based in Africa, and its sole purpose is to promote the economies of every country in Africa and to promote the health and welfare of Africans. And so it has devoted significant resources to this project. And has since attracted a number of other investors, many of whom you will know and will ultimately hear about later on to the tune of several $700 million. So the bank has been very generous and has invested not only financially but emotionally in this project. The purpose of which again was to bring much needed world class cancer, cardiovascular and even to logical treatment and diagnosis here to the area. “And this is the first of several hospitals that will be built around the African continent. And you said it best referring to medical tourism, the goal here is not just to stop the outflow, which accounts for about $6-7 billion a year just in the West African sub region.
“We not only want to stop that from happening, we want to reverse the flow. So that this becomes as you said, a destination for healthcare. And so as we begin to see our Nigerian people stay at home for their care. We anticipate seeing many from other countries seeking out care here because of the expertise and the technology.”
He added that the project aimed at bringing back the country’s talented, educated and experienced doctors and nurses around the world “to help to treat Nigerians as well as the West African sub region in the areas of cancer, cardiovascular disease and haematological diseases.
“Nigeria is fortunate to have many very good hospitals that are general in nature. “We have chosen to invest in a very large hospital, ultimately 500 beds that will focus on what we saw as gaps in the care and that is specifically in cancer and cardiovascular disease.
” “The purpose of which again was to bring much needed world class, cancer, cardiovascular and even to logical treatment and diagnosis to the area.”
He also added that “We not only want to stop brain drain and medical tourism but we want to reverse the flow. So that this becomes as you said, a destination for healthcare.
“And so as we begin to see our Nigerian people stay at home for their care. We anticipate seeing many from other countries seeking out care here because of the expertise and the technology.”
He further added, “The beauty of this is not only during construction, we would be creating jobs. By the way, we have been in construction for a year now and we will invite you to come out and see the site and the great work that has been done. But not only will the jobs be added during the construction phase which will continue because of the size of the project for the next two years, afterwards as we prepare for opening and after opening, we will be adding literally 1,000 jobs to the area. “
In her response, elated Dabiri-Erewa said NiDCOM was prepared to collaborate and to galvanise Nigerians in diaspora to be part of the project.
She explained that with the hospital and the 10 constructed by Nigerians in Diaspora, the country will soon become a medical hub and attraction.
” I think, even before your coming, we must say we have about 10 hospitals that have been built by Nigerians in the diaspora. Right here in Abuja, we have about five.
“So really, I am sure that when we move on, we are going to be a destination for medical tourism. I am hoping that the Africa Centre of Excellence will be the game changer.”
She also made a case for low income earners and those in rural areas.
Dabiri-Erewa said, “Again, we should not forget those in the communities, villages. What we will learn from India is as they do this, part of the profit they make goes to serving the poorest of the poor. So I hope you feel that in mind as you do this. So I thank you for choosing Nigeria to have the Centre of Excellence for the African continent. “
She therefore assured the delegation that “We are ready to work with you. We’ll hit the ground running with you. You can count on our partnership, you can count on everything we can do to make it successful. It’s particularly important because we are talking about the medical field. “
