… request foreign direct investment in the sick health sector
Vice President of the House of Representatives, Excmo. Benjamin Kalu expressed concern about the capital flight worth more than $ 1.1 billion lost to outgoing medical tourism annually.
Kalu, who declared this in Abuja while heading to the president of Montefiore Medicine, New York, USA,, however, Dr. Phillip Ozuah reiterated the resolution of the current administration towards a better financing for the health sector.
He said: “Regardless of the quality of our laws or the scale of our budgets, if the preventable deaths continue, if maternal mortality remains high, and if citizens cannot recover from treatable diseases, our development remains incomplete.
“In the tenth chamber of representatives, health is considered central to national security, the development of human capital and economic progress.
“The World Health Organization estimates that every dollar invested in health returns four dollars in productivity profits. Nigeria has made remarkable advances: wild polio has been eradicated, maternal and child health services have expanded, and tertiary health institutions are reaching more Nigerians than ever.
“Under the renewed agenda of hope of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Government has committed to bold and political reforms centered on citizens, with the National Budget 2024 assigning more than N1.33 billion to the health sector, the largest in our history.
“However, budgets alone do not offer results; resilient systems do it. These systems must be designed on purpose, equipped and constantly strengthen through clear policies, sustained investments and innovative associations.
“The tenth National Assembly has taken significant measures: health coverage is now mandatory under the law of NHIA; the basic fund of medical care provications has been extended to support primary medical care throughout the country; obsolete health laws have been modernized; local pharmaceutical research is promoting the national health manufacture; the development of the infraction of health and regulations Regulation of the sector of the sector of the sector of the sector sector;
“Despite these profits, the government's action alone is insufficient. Nigeria faces the double challenge of reducing international health help and annual loss of more than $ 1.1 billion for outgoing medical tourism.
“This mission is personal for me. Representing the southeast, a region that is still cured of the legacy of the conflict and underdevelopment, the promise of reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation (3rs) remains only partially fulfilled. Health reform is, therefore, a critical pillar of my legislative agenda.
“Through the PSE-P initiative, we are rebuilding primary medical care centers, training community health workers and developing sustainable models of rural health benefit.
“My constituency projects include establishing and equipping rural health centers, organizing medical scope, such as free ocular surgeries and providing essential equipment for clinics with little resources. I have also defended the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities, recognizing that dignity is comprehensive for health.
“However, the lasting transformation requires associations that take advantage of the global experience and complement local initiatives. Dr. Ozuah, his leadership in Montefiore Medicine, offers an incomparable opportunity to align world class medical knowledge with the urgent health priorities of Nigeria, particularly in addressing communicable and non -communicable diseases.”
Speaking about some of the strategic associations in which they embarked, the delegation of a proposed association to establish a specialized medical research and training center in Nigeria, focused on cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, infectious diseases and innovation in medical technology. The center, modeling after the main global institutions, would require collaboration with the federal government and credible local investors.
In the attempt to strengthen rural health infrastructure, Kalu revealed that: “More than 30,000 primary health centers in Nigeria, especially in rural areas, remain little equipped.
Highlighting the reforms aimed at reversing the escape of brain permanent “. “
Speaking about continuous efforts to reduce the burden of outgoing medical tourism, Kalu postulated that: “The Annual Law of Medical Tourism of Nigeria, which once exceeded $ 1.6 billion, now has a downward trend. The collaboration of Montefiore can accelerate this through the development of centers of excellence that comply with global standards and local retention patients.
“We are witnessing a historical moment in the Nigerian medical care trip. On June 5, 2025, the African Excellence Center of Excellence (AMCE) was inaugurated in Abuja, an association of $ 300 million between AFREXIMBANK, King's College Hospital London London London London and Christie Nhs Foundation Trust.
“This 170-Ked Facity, Expanding to 500 Beds, is the Largest Specialist Private Hospital in West Africa. It features five operating theating, Three Catheter Labs, West Africa's Larganst icu, a dedicated bone marrow transplant unit, and Advanced Laboratories. The Amce Houses Nigeria Nigeria ' MRI, West Africa's Only Pet/Spect CT, Two Linear Accelerators, and a Brachytherapy Machine, previous technologies not available on the continent.
“The AMCE will serve more than 350,000 patients in its first five years, create 3,000 jobs and provide clinical training and research opportunities for Nigerian professionals. Its mission is to reduce outgoing medical tourism, strengthen local capacity and foster intrafrican medical excellence. King's College London, even more strengthening the Nigeria health strength.
“With a population greater than 220 million, 60% of which are under 25, Nigeria offers a significant performance of health investment. The strengthening of our health sector is not only a national imperative, but a regional and global need.”
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