NIGERIA is set to have its first specialised hospital for the detection and treatment of cancer.
The $700 million worth 500 bedded hospital is expected to come upstream in the next two years.
According to the Chief Executive Officer, Africa Medical Centre of Excellence, Mr. Brain Deaver, work is already ongoing on the project, which is aimed at addressing the trend of brain drain and medical tourism.
Deaver disclosed this on Wednesday when he visited the Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa with his team in Abuja.
Deaver explained that the Africa Medical Centre of Excellence is going to collaborate with King’s College London and some other healthcare institutions in Nigeria.
He said the hospital will also be involved in training and research.
Africa Medical Centre of Excellence boss who sought the collaboration of NiDCOM said the project will help make Nigeria a hub in healthcare and consequently reverse the current trend of brain drain and medical tourism.
Brian said, “The hospital which is a significant capital project is being sponsored and funded by an African Bank, a large funding institution. It is based in Africa, and its sole purpose is to promote the economies of every country in Africa and to promote the health and welfare of Africans. And so it has devoted significant resources to this project. And has since attracted a number of other investors, many of whom you will know and will ultimately hear about later on to the tune of several $700 million. So the bank has been very generous and has invested not only financially but emotionally in this project.
“The purpose of which again was to bring much needed world class cancer, cardiovascular and even to logical treatment and diagnosis here to the area. “And this is the first of several hospitals that will be built around the African continent. And you said it best referring to medical tourism, the goal here is not just to stop the outflow, which accounts for about $6-7 billion a year just in the West African sub region.”
“We not only want to stop that from happening, we want to reverse the flow. So that this becomes as you said, a destination for healthcare. And so as we begin to see our Nigerian people stay at home for their care. We anticipate seeing many from other countries seeking out care here because of the expertise and the technology.”