Chuks Chibundu: Leading DOCTORCARE247’S Remarkable Partnership with Turkish Council to Expand Telehealth Access to Nigerians

Chuks Chibundu is the Managing Director/CEO of DoctorCare247, easily the nation’s leading tele-health platform enabling doctors and specialists to diagnose and treat patients remotely. Chiemelie Ezeobi writes on DoctorCare247’s recent partnership with the Turkish Healthcare Travel Council (THTC), which allows Nigerians to access advanced medical diagnosis and treatment abroad through virtual consultations

A new wave of innovation is transforming the healthcare landscape in Nigeria – tele-health, currently spearheaded by DoctorCare247, a robust tele-health platform enabling doctors and specialists to diagnose and treat patients remotely. DoctorCare247, just as its name suggests, is available for 24 hours every day, shatters geographical barriers, and connects patients with specialists across the country, regardless of location.

The digital era empowers patients with a wealth of information. DoctorCare247 platform provides access to details on potential medical tourism destinations, hospital reputations, and success rates. This transparency allows individuals to choose healthcare providers and destinations that best suit their needs.

Telemedicine also streamlines pre and post-operative care for medical tourists. Virtual consultations facilitate discussions about treatment plans, address concerns, and provide remote follow-up care. This minimizes the need for extended hospital stays, ensuring a more convenient and cost-effective healthcare experience.

DoctorCare247 is led by Chuks Chibundu, a management expert, enterprise strategist, and business communications practitioner whose work experience cuts across consulting, digital marketing, and financial services, where he rose to the position of Country Managing Director at defunct Bank PHB and Keystone Bank.

In a revolutionary game-changing move for Nigerians seeking quality healthcare, Chucks Chibundu, CEO of DoctorCare247 recently led his firm to sign a partnership with the Turkish Healthcare Travel Council (THTC) which will allow Nigerians to access advanced medical diagnosis and treatment abroad through virtual consultations and thus exemplifies the power of telehealth in medical tourism. “This collaboration expands our healthcare offerings and provides Nigerians with convenient access to high-quality medical care, even if it’s beyond our borders,” explains Chibundu.

The convergence of digital health and medical tourism opens doors for patients seeking comprehensive healthcare solutions. Telehealth dismantles geographical limitations, allowing Nigerians to connect with renowned international specialists without the burden of travel. This global reach transforms medical tourism, making it more accessible and convenient.

A pivotal aspect of telehealth in medical tourism is the ability to obtain virtual second opinions. Patients can consult with experts from esteemed healthcare institutions worldwide. These consultations offer valuable insights into diagnosis, explore alternative treatment options, and instill confidence in their chosen healthcare path. This virtual approach empowers patients to make informed decisions about their health.

Digital platforms connect patients with various stakeholders involved in their medical tourism journey. From initial inquiries with DoctorCare247 to post-treatment follow-ups with international hospitals, this platform ensures seamless communication and collaboration among healthcare professionals, travel agents, and local service providers.

As digital health continues to evolve, patients can expect even more personalized, accessible, and patient-centric healthcare experiences. This evolving landscape is not just transforming medical tourism; it’s revolutionizing the way Nigerians engage with their health.

“DoctorCare247 remains committed to harnessing the power of telehealth to bridge the gap in healthcare access for Nigerians,” Chibundu said. “We believe that with continued innovation, Nigerians will have the power to take control of their health decisions and access quality care, both locally and internationally.”

Indeed, as digital health continues to evolve, patients can anticipate even more personalized, accessible, and patient-centric healthcare experiences. This evolving landscape not only transforms medical tourism but also revolutionizes how individuals worldwide engage with their health. The integration of digital health and medical tourism signifies a promising future where patients can take control of their healthcare decisions effortlessly.

Chibundu’s vision for Doctorcare247 underscores a commitment to innovation and excellence in healthcare delivery, paving the way for a brighter future where telehealth plays a central role in revolutionizing healthcare access and services in Nigeria. This is against the backdrop that Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, faces a significant challenge in providing accessible and affordable healthcare to its citizens. Long travel distances, limited specialist availability, and financial constraints often restrict access to quality care.

DoctorCare247 in its partnership with Turkish Healthcare Travel Council (THTC) is also taking advantage of healthcare tourism which is a rapidly growing industry that involves individuals traveling across international borders to receive medical treatments, procedures, or healthcare services. This phenomenon has gained significant traction in recent years due to several driving factors. 

One of the primary reasons for the rise of medical tourism is the disparity in healthcare costs between countries. Many individuals, especially those from developed nations with higher healthcare expenses, seek medical treatments in developing countries where the costs are significantly lower. This cost advantage can be substantial, even after factoring in travel expenses, making medical tourism an attractive option for those seeking affordable healthcare solutions. 

In addition to cost savings, medical tourism offers patients the opportunity to combine medical treatments with recreational activities or tourism experiences. Some destinations have strategically marketed themselves as medical tourism hubs, offering not only top-notch healthcare facilities but also attractive tourism packages that allow patients to recover in a relaxing and rejuvenating environment. 

The availability of specialized treatments and cutting-edge medical technologies in certain countries has also fuelled the growth of medical tourism. Patients may travel to countries that excel in specific medical fields, such as cosmetic surgery, dentistry, fertility treatments, or alternative therapies, to receive high-quality care that may not be readily available or as advanced in their home countries.

To deepen the DoctorCare247 partnership with Turkish Healthcare Travel Council (THTC), Chuks Chibundu led a team of DoctorCare247 staff to participate at the recently held 6th Global Healthcare Travel Forum and Conference in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Amongst other immersion programmes, the DoctorCare247 team learnt from Emin Çakmak, the Founding Chairman of the Global Healthcare Travel Council and President of the Turkish Healthcare Tourism Development Council, about Turkey’s remarkable journey in becoming a preferred global healthcare travel destination, which this partnership offers Nigerians an opportunity to benefit from.

Over the past two decades, Turkey has invested heavily in its healthcare infrastructure, allocating more than $50 billion to build new hospitals and acquire the latest medical technologies. This investment has enabled the country to offer world-class medical services, including cutting-edge treatments such as CyberKnife, GammaKnife, TrueBeam, and da Vinci robotic surgery, as well as advanced stem cell therapies and organ transplantation procedures. 

Furthermore, Turkey boasts a highly skilled medical workforce, with over 15,000 doctors who have graduated from Western and Turkish medical universities. This pool of talented healthcare professionals, combined with state-of-the-art facilities, has positioned Turkey as a formidable player in the global healthcare travel market. 

Turkey’s success in healthcare tourism can be attributed to the convergence of several factors, including its world-class medical services, well-developed hospitality infrastructure, geographical convenience, and natural beauty. This unique combination has made the country an attractive destination for various healthcare travel segments, such as medical treatment, wellness, spa and thermalism, sports medicine, retirement, and accessible tourism. 

The Turkish government has played a crucial role in facilitating the growth of the healthcare tourism industry. The Ministry of Health has established a dedicated department to monitor the competencies of hospitals, ensure compliance with regulations, and maintain pricing transparency for medical tourism services. Additionally, many private hospitals in Turkey have obtained accreditation from renowned agencies such as the Joint Commission International (JCI), TEMOS, and the Turkish Healthcare Travel Accreditation Council, further enhancing the sector’s credibility and quality assurance. 

Like Turkey, Nigeria must prioritize investments in modern healthcare facilities, cutting-edge medical technologies, and the training and retention of skilled healthcare professionals. Upgrading hospitals with modern equipment and technology is crucial to attracting patients seeking advanced medical care. This will not only improve the quality of healthcare services for Nigerians but also position the country as a competitive medical tourism destination. 

But as the Chuks Chibundu led DoctorCare247 deepens its partnership with Turkish Healthcare Travel Council, Nigerians seeking quality healthcare now have access to advanced medical diagnosis and treatment abroad through virtual consultations and thus exemplifies the power of telehealth in medical tourism. 

QUOTE

“DoctorCare247’s partnership with the Turkish Healthcare Travel Council (THTC) expands our healthcare offerings and provides Nigerians with convenient access to high-quality medical care, even if it’s beyond our borders.”