NIGERIA— President Muhammadu Buhari has officially inaugurated the state-of-the-art presidential wing of the State House Medical Center in Abuja.

The aim is to reduce the need for state officials and other important individuals (VIPs) to travel abroad for medical services.

This US$45 million healthcare facility is one of President Buhari’s legacy projects and is located within the grounds of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The Presidential wing will operate alongside the existing State House Medical Centre in Asokoro, Abuja, and is dedicated to providing accessible, well-equipped, and revitalized healthcare services.

The groundbreaking ceremony for this legacy project, situated within the Presidential Villa premises, took place in November 2021 and was conducted by the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari.

With a remarkable total floor area of 2,485 square meters, including a suspended floor with a basement, this specialized Intensive Care Centre will serve the President, Vice President, their immediate families, and VIPs, incorporating state-of-the-art medical technology.

The project was completed on schedule and within budget, according to Mr. Abiodun Oladunjoye, the Director of Communication at the State House.

The Presidential Wing will also house a Catheterization Laboratory (Cath lab), two operating rooms for regular and special procedures such as organ transplantation.

The State House Management has successfully completed other legacy projects since the inception of this project in 2021.

These projects include a Special Care Centre, a Biosafety Level 2 Molecular Laboratory certified by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), a medium capacity incinerator, and a dental wing extension building at the State House Medical Centre, Asokoro.

Additionally, there is a block of 2-bedroom flats at the staff quarters of the medical centre, and a 54-seater State House multi-purpose training centre at the auditorium.

Furthermore, the Conference Car Unit (CCU) workshop and the Modern Fleet Management hub will be commissioned next week, as stated by Mr. Oladunjoye.

The Presidential Wing comprises specialized departments staffed by a team of medical professionals.

It includes five consultation rooms dedicated to various specialties such as respiratory, cardiology, ophthalmology, ENT (Eye, Nose & Throat), and general consultation.

Additionally, the hospital features a specialized X-ray suite with a digital X-ray machine, as well as a diagnostic suite with MRI, CT scan, and endoscopy facilities.

Patients and visitors can also enjoy access to a healing garden designed to promote healing, relaxation, and overall well-being.

Nigerians spend fortunes on healthcare expenses abroad

According to the Central Bank’s balance of payment data, Nigerians spent a total of US$11.01 billion on healthcare expenses abroad from 2011 to the first quarter of 2021.

The highest amount was recorded in 2019, with US$2.56 billion spent on foreign health expenses, while the lowest was in 2016, with US$17 million spent.

Nigerians’ lack of confidence in the quality of their healthcare system is further exemplified by the perception that current institutions lack necessary high-tech equipment, medical expertise, and essential pharmaceutical and medical supplies.

According to the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), 60% of healthcare expenditure abroad is reportedly attributed to four key specialties: oncology, orthopedics, nephrology, and cardiology.

A particular challenge lies with public officeholders in Nigeria, especially political elites, who have often resorted to seeking medical treatment abroad.

For instance, in 2015, Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari spent over 150 days in London for undisclosed medical treatment.

In another unfortunate example, Godswill Akpabio, who commissioned a US$95 million hospital as a governor, was flown to London for treatment following a car crash just four months later.

Efforts have been made to engage various officials in the government and stakeholders in the health sector at all levels in Nigeria to formulate appropriate policies that discourage Nigerian elites from seeking medical treatment abroad.

This includes ensuring the provision of world-class medical infrastructure and qualified medical teams to manage healthcare institutions.

Furthermore, the provision of quality healthcare delivery in the country can restore citizens’ confidence in the health sector and create an enabling environment for highly skilled Nigerians living abroad to return home and contribute to our medical tourism industry.

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