Medicine:

Profit-making? or Humanitarian? In the summer of 2003 in medical school,I had a hot debate with classmates about the reason we got into the training.80% of the group voted humanitarian.20%voted profit making.Yours truly voted profit-making(Don't judge me).I needed cash badly. If I put the same group together in 2015,I don't know what the vote will be. Untapped gold mine exist in Nigerian healthcare sector for the entrepreneurs.If you are looking at being your own boss sooner or later,you should research my highlights:



1.Medical device and Medical consumables distributorship:

Manufacturing sites of many medical devices and consumables are outside the shores of our country.Some do not have representatives here.If the some devices like incubators go bad,that is the end.Good quality surgical consumables are imported.So why can't a doctor be a distributor or contact for this industries back home?Think about it.



2.Non emergency medical transportation :

This will serve clients with special needs who want to get to the hospital but require assistance.Stroke patients,Cerebral palsy,elderly e.t.c will benefit.This is also good for airport to hospital commuting.You could market this as VIP.Hospitals can sell this to gold class patrons.



3. Smoking cessation Services :

There are men and women out there battling with kicking the smoking habit. Why don't you be their life line.This is a good add-up business for chest physicians.Get trained on your next trip abroad. People need your service and you need their money.


4. Medical waste disposal business :

Manufacturing and oil/energy companies are strict with waste disposals. This a business opportunity for any interested party. Services include making available bio hazard bags,sharps boxes,collection and logistics and any other value you can add.



5. Medical Courier :


This is purely medical logistics for samples of all types,blood products,vaccines,organs,drugs. Research further to draw a business plan.Nice add up services for haematologists,immunologists etc.



6. Medical practice management company:

If you have healthcare administration training or you have an MPH that you are confused about how to harness,this is good for you. A bit of self-study online and going for short course abroad if you can afford it will be good. You can manage the practice of others and get paid for it.


7. Remote site emergency support:

You can render medical advisory services to field based doctors by supporting them with expert knowledge from shore. Multinational companies in Nigeria use the service. A lot of indigenous companies in the field don't. So research into it and come up with your proposal. Somebody might buy into it.You need solid IT and telecommunications service to do this.



8. VIP weight loss clinics /Health and fitness centers :

Folks,some women want to lose weight. They are looking around for weight loss consultants.Some men for medical reasons want to shed a couple of pounds. Likewise we have people who want to be shown and taught how to keep fit. Doctors you know you can do this for an extra quid. so just do it. Set up your clinic and fitness consultancy. If in doubt,attend a course.


9. Medical financial Solutions

Out of pocket payment of hospital bills can be killing.Trust is breached when Healthcare providers feel HMO have shortchanged them.Some doctors are just poor with funds. They want a better house ,car,holidays etc but can't manage to get there. What about start up practice funding and procurement?Are you smart with funds?Do you have some economic or financial training?Can you solve the problems?Medical financial solution is a great area to delve into.

10. Medical Escort:
if you are an anaesthetist or ICU doctor or Nurse with great patient monitoring skills,good knowledge of aviation medicine or flight physiology,this is for you. You can present a good business plan to flight operators(chattered and commercial). They might contact you in the time of need.



11. Creche / Play group

Do you love children?are you a pediatrician or you are aspiring? You know how the story goes in Nigeria...a doctor owned creche becomes a doctor owned school and cash comes in. The level of trust is higher so you have a selling point to the VIPs and general public



12. Aesthetic medicine services/Cosmetic clinic :

' Looking good is good business' .You can explore this aspect for money. Enroll on short courses in Aesthetic medicine and cosmetology.Be a an agent for cosmetic products .Women will find you for solutions. Good if you are a dermatologist.



13.Women Health( Female Gynaecologist services) :

A lot of women will prefer to see a female Gynaecologist who is caring and understands what they are going through. Also most men will prefer to take their partners to see a female gyne doc. So if you are reading this..Set up a standard practice and have an online presence. You will be smiling to the bank soon

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14. Medical apparels,gift items and jewelries :

You may want to consider importing and selling customized scrubs,lapels,brooches,ties,crocs,ward coats,mugs,t shirts and so on for healthcare personnel only.



15. Medical writing :

You can provide medical writing services to Pharma companies.It involves reviewing research and presenting the information to suit the level of the target audience.



Conclusion

Abraham Lincoln said and I quote " Investment in knowledge itself pays the best interest" . You have invested in knowledge.The way to get the financial reward is to apply it in some business. It is about Value for money folks. I wish you all the best.


Written by
Dr.Oluwaseun Adeola Idowu
Director of Trainings & Development
Logroplus Consulting
Portharcourt,Nigeria
www.logroplusconsulting.org

Yeah even I have heard a lot about medical internship there. The best part is to match with standards of west, you can see all female staff weaning figs scrubs for women which bestows trust and increases credibility of staff in eyes of patients.