Nigeria is steadily gaining recognition as a hub for quality healthcare, attracting patients not only from neighboring West African countries but also from as far as the United States and the United Kingdom.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, made this revelation on Tuesday while briefing journalists at the State House in Abuja. He spoke after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, which was presided over by President Bola Tinubu.
“People are now beginning to come from the subregion, and even from faraway places like the UK and the US, to receive quality healthcare in Nigeria,” Pate said. “Despite the challenges we face, significant progress is being made, and the transformation promised by President Tinubu is already taking shape.”
To further boost Nigeria’s healthcare system, the Federal Government has approved N12 billion for the procurement and installation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines and other advanced diagnostic equipment in six tertiary hospitals across the country.
According to Pate, the hospitals that will receive three MRI machines and two CT scanners include: University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Akwa Ibom, Federal Medical Center, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Osun State, Federal Medical Center, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital, Adamawa State and Federal Teaching Hospital, Kebbi, Kebbi State.
“This investment in critical diagnostic infrastructure is part of a broader effort to expand Nigeria’s health system capacity, ensuring that our tertiary institutions can offer world-class medical services,” the minister noted.
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Another major decision reached at the FEC meeting was Nigeria’s ratification of the African Medicines Agency (AMA) Treaty. The treaty, adopted by the African Union in 2019, is aimed at harmonizing medical regulatory standards across Africa.
Pate explained that 37 African Union member states have signed the treaty, with 26 already ratifying it. Nigeria has now committed to taking all necessary steps to implement the agreement fully.
“This move will expand Nigeria’s pharmaceutical market beyond national borders, allowing locally manufactured medical products to meet continental standards,” Pate stated. “What we produce here will not just be ‘Made in Nigeria,’ but over time, it will be recognized as ‘Made in Africa.’ This is a significant step towards self-sufficiency in medical products and pharmaceutical industrialization.”
The minister credited President Tinubu’s leadership for driving these reforms, noting that while challenges remain, Nigeria’s healthcare system is on a path of transformation.
“We are investing in infrastructure, human resources, and regulatory frameworks to create a healthcare system that Nigerians can rely on and that attracts patients from across the globe,” Pate said.
With these investments and reforms, Nigeria is gradually positioning itself as a key player in the global healthcare industry, offering hope for improved medical services and access to high-quality healthcare for its citizens.