The Federal Government says it will partner with the Akwa Ibom Government on the
operations of Ibom Specialist Hospital, Uyo, to stop Nigerians from seeking medical
treatment abroad.
The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, made this promise on Saturday in Uyo while
inspecting facilities at the Akwa Ibom government’s owned Ibom Specialist Hospital.
Mr. Adewole noted that with facilities at Ibom Specialist Hospital, medical tourism abroad
can be reversed.
“Visiting the hospital complex today is an eye opener, there is no such complex like this
anywhere in Nigeria,” the minister said.
He announced that with the proposed partnership, no Nigerian would be allowed to go
abroad for treatment on government sponsorship from Jan. 2017.
“We will partner to make sure that it works and reverses medical tourism. People from
Ghana and Togo can come to Nigeria for medical treatment.
“We will start using this facility, with this facility, no Nigerian will be allowed to go abroad
for treatment,” Mr. Adewole said.
The minister warned medical doctors to desist from running a syndicate of sending people
abroad for treatment for pecuniary interest.
Mr. Adewole, however, said that individuals could go abroad on their own expenses if they so wish but not on
government sponsorship.
The minister said the state owned Diagnostic Centre at Ikot Ekpene would be converted to Lassa Fever Diagnostic Centre.
He commended the state government for constructing the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) at Ikot Ekpene to help
reduce the pressure on the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH).
Earlier, the minister and his entourage had paid a courtesy visit on the state governor, Udom Emmanuel, at Government
House.
The governor had appealed for assistance from the Federal Government to make the state a healthcare tourism
destination in Nigeria.
Mr. Emmanuel said the state government had invested much in the health sector and would like the Federal
Government to help boost the patronage of the Ibom Specialist Hospital.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this was the maiden visit of the minister to Akwa Ibom since his
appointment last October. (NAN)
http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/203064-akwa-ibom-hospital-no-govt-sponsored-foreign-treatment-nigerians-2017-minister.html

Good development

Foreign "health trips" is now reserved exclusively for the dullard.

Nice move from the Minister. I only hope the facilities can be maintained.

Iv never seen a hospital Iike diz befor. Amazing! Just dat de onIy black guyz u zee ur securities and poIice men on duty otherz white!

Goodnews, good vision.

Were they sponsoring Nigerians before or themselves?

Akpabio did well.