FG Seeks to Partner A’Ibom to Curb Medical Tourism

• Says foreign treatment ruin nation’s resources

By Okon Bassey

Impressed by the world class facilities provided at the Ibom Specialist Hospital, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the Federal Government has indicated interest to partner the State Government in order to curb medical tourism in the country.

The Minister for Health, Prof Isaac Folorunso Adewole gave the indication while interacting with the management and staff of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital shortly after inspection of the Ibom Specialist Hospital on Friday.

“Visiting the complex is an eye-opener. There is no such complex in this country and I believe that with that complex we can actually begin the process of reversing medical tourism in Nigeria”, he stated.

Accordingly, he said the Executive Director of the Sovereign Wealth Investment Authority has been told to add the hospital to those facilities that the federal government would uplift this year.

“My expectation is that if we work hard that facility should be put to use January next year and with that facility I will certainly not approve any Nigerian should use government resources to go abroad”, the Minster said.

FURTHER DETAILS LATER