In a landmark event marking a significant milestone in healthcare diplomacy, the American Hospital Dubai (AHD) has launched its first representative office in Africa.
The grand unveiling took place at the Africa Launch Event at their new Lagos location on Bishop Aboyade Cole, Victoria Island, Lagos State.
The opening ceremony, attended by distinguished guests, dignitaries, and healthcare professionals, was a celebration of the hospital’s global vision and Nigeria’s growing importance in the continent’s healthcare landscape.
Chairman, American Hospital Dubai-Nigeria Limited, Mahmoud Harbaji, addressed the audience with enthusiasm and conviction, stressing the pivotal role of the new office in bridging the gap between the renowned Dubai-based hospital and patients.
Harbaji emphasised further that the establishment of the world-class representative office in Lagos represents more than just a physical expansion; it reflects a deep commitment to improving healthcare access and quality across Africa.
He noted that Nigeria’s potential and importance onthe continent have long been evident. With this new office, American Hospital Dubai seeks to make a substantial and positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the Nigerian population.
The well-attended launch event drew a diverse and influential crowd, including top government officials, embassy staff, politicians, and traditional rulers. Notable attendees included Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, Permanent Secretary at the Lagos State Ministry of Health; Mr. Dakuku Peterside, a former member of the House of Representatives; and Joke Silva, the esteemed Nigerian actress, director, and businesswoman. Dr. Abdullah Al-Mandoos, the Consul- General of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Nigeria, recognised the crucial support of President Bola Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
He highlighted that their backing was instrumental in realising the initiatives and goals that have been in planning since 2019.
Al-Mandoos also commended Sherif, CEO of the American Hospital Dubai Group, for his role in bringing the vision to fruition.
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Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, reflected on previous discussions with Dr. Al-Mandoos about potential collaborations between the UAE, Lagos, and Nigeria to bolster the healthcare sector. He noted that progress had been impeded by the COVID-19 pandemic. Representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Abayomi conveyed that the establishment of the representative office marks a significant and positive first step toward enhancing healthcare connections and initiatives.
He recounted that the governor in his meeting with the American Hospital Dubai team had said: “Lagos very much welcomes this initiative. If Lagosians are going to Dubai for medical interventions, we would certainly want that journey to be as seamless, as safe and as problem-free as possible with more discounts via the office, but “Lagos has a very a very definitive strategy. It’s encompassed in the Lagos State Development Plan, (LSDP) 2052, which is a 30-year development plan for Lagos State.”
Abayomi highlighted that Lagos State’s GDP has surged from N27 trillion at the start of Sanwo-Olu’s first term to nearly N45 trillion, a substantial figure for any region in Africa. He emphasised that Lagos is home to 35 major general hospitals, each handling up to 1,000 patients daily. However, he noted that the state’s healthcare system requires more specialised facilities, such as subspecialty hospitals equipped to handle complex procedures like neurosurgery, advanced cancer treatments, and kidney transplants.
Abayomi underscored the importance of health as a key component of Lagos’s economic vitality. He pointed out that Lagos’s significant economic growth is tied to its healthcare infrastructure, which is why the government is committed to expanding universal healthcare coverage for its residents.
He also mentioned that Lagos is recognised as the eighth city in Africa for its high-quality healthcare services, ranking after Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Nairobi, Tunis, and Cairo.
Abayomi further praised the collaborative efforts of American Hospital Dubai-Nigeria Limited and Sanwo-Olu for bringing this initiative to fruition.
The new Lagos office of American Hospital Dubai will serve as a crucial link for patients seeking care at the Dubai-based facility, functioning much like an embassy to facilitate access and streamline the process.
The expansion into Nigeria underscores American Hospital Dubai’s commitment to investing in the country’s healthcare sector. The goal is to make the process of receiving care in Dubai as seamless and convenient as possible. Tonye Princewill, a Director of the Board of American Hospital Dubai-Nigeria Limited, noted that while many hospitals attract patients from Nigeria, few are willing to invest significant resources in developing such business connections.
The Lagos office will allow patients to handle arrangements, from visa applications and flight bookings to accommodation, making their journey to Dubai much easier.
In addition, plans are underway for a second office in Abuja and a diagnostic centre in Lagos, indicating a continued commitment to expanding healthcare access across the country.
“Many hospitals take patients from Nigeria but very few are prepared to commit energy and resources developing that business. For those people who want to go to AHD, instead of going online ,making searches/enquiries, they can come to the Lagos representative office in Victoria Island where officials will talk to them and make their trip to Dubai very much easier from visas to flights to accommodation.
“Already, they have approved a second office in Abuja and they’ve asked us to get space for a diagnostic centre in Lagos,” Princewill said.