Mbah inspects Enugu hospital, targets medical tourism market

Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has inspected the newly equipped Enugu International Hospital, signaling the state's ambition to become a leading destination for medical tourism across the continent. The facility, slated for official inauguration, is outfitted with cutting-edge medical technology designed to curb the exodus of Nigerians seeking healthcare abroad and to secure a significant portion of the lucrative global medical tourism market.

Mbah articulated that the hospital is a product of a deliberate health policy, fulfilling a campaign promise to transform Enugu into a continental medical tourism hub. He emphasized the need for a world-class facility and the attraction of top-tier medical professionals to provide services. "We can’t wait to welcome the world to Enugu," Mbah stated, highlighting the state's readiness to compete on a global scale.

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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 it.

The governor expressed concern over the scarcity of advanced medical equipment in Nigeria, noting the limited availability of services like Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans. The Enugu International Hospital aims to fill these critical gaps in advanced healthcare delivery. Mbah asserted that the hospital offers services comparable in quality to those found in India, Turkey, the United States, and the United Kingdom, but at a fraction of the cost. "Diagnostically and therapeutically, Enugu is now the destination," he declared, underscoring the hospital's capacity for advanced oncology diagnosis and treatment.

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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. What we’re offering is the same quality of service at a fraction of the cost overseas.

This initiative has reportedly generated significant interest among Nigerian healthcare professionals working abroad who are considering returning home. The hospital plans to integrate digital healthcare and telemedicine, collaborating with international medical experts to complement its on-site operations. According to Mbah, these health sector interventions, covering all levels of care, are a cornerstone of his administration's broader economic plan to grow Enugu's economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion, while simultaneously enhancing security, investor confidence, job creation, and life expectancy.

The hospital's Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Sam Agwu, outlined the six core specialty centers that will be operational upon launch, including a Cancer Centre offering nuclear medicine, therapeutics, and diagnostics. The hospital's focus on advanced diagnostics and treatment, coupled with its strategic location and competitive pricing, positions it as a key player in Nigeria's healthcare landscape and a significant driver for the state's economic development.

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If we want to compete globally, then we must have the ability to provide advanced oncology services. Therefore, we are equipped to offer both advanced diagnosis and treatment. Diagnostically and therapeutically, Enugu is now the destination.