Prof. Akin Abayomi, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, says the state is establishing specialist hospitals in order to reduce medical tourism and brain drain in the health sector.
Abayomi made this known on Saturday in Lagos at the Doctors for Change (DFC) convention.
In his statement, the state had identified trust and a shortage of medical specialities as the main reasons Nigerians seek medical care abroad.
According to Abayomi, the state will become a popular destination for medical tourists.
“We have many general hospitals but what we lack are specialist facilities, and you can get specialist care both in the government and private hospitals.
“What we are trying to do is that we are building more specialist hospitals.
“We have the Massey Children Specialist Hospital, Infectious Disease Research Institute, the largest psychiatric hospital in Africa at Ketu-Ejirin, Epe, the Omotunde Ajoke Cole Hospital, Island.
“We are trying to create a diversification of medical care, so if you need a kidney transplant, heart surgery, the highest level of infectious diseases, rehabilitation centres, you can get it here,” Abayomi said.
He said that the government would continue to invest in human resources, and set standards and the right policies to ensure the delivery of quality healthcare services.
The commissioner said the state was embarking on a digital footprint that would connect all health facilities, to holistic and collective data on the health-seeking behaviour of Lagosians.
Abayomi said the state wants to partner with the DFC on how the private sector could assist in achieving its strategic goals.
He said the state would continue to evolve favourable policies to attract doctors in the Diaspora, back to Nigeria, either fully or partly.
“Lagos needs to be an international destination for cutting-edge medical service delivery, innovation and research for the betterment of its people,” he said.
Also, Dr Pamela Ajayi, President, of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN), said Nigerians in the diaspora have a vast impact on the economy.
He disclosed that $5.16 billion was remitted in a month this year.
Ajayi said the HFN would continue collaborating with the government to ensure that favourable policy was evolved to impact the health sector.
Similarly, Dr Abiodun Kuti, the President, of the Guild of Medical Directors, said the level of brain drain in the country was alarming.
Kuti said that policies should be enacted to encourage doctors to stay or return to the country.
Also, Dr Chinyere Anyaogu, the President, of the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA), said the association’s mission was to achieve a healthier Nigeria for a healthier world.
Anyaogu said ANPA, registered in the US, represents the interest of over 5,000 dentists and physicians across the US and had contributed considerably to healthcare development in Nigeria.
She stressed the need for robust partnerships to accelerate the country’s healthcare delivery and development.
Also speaking, Dr Babaseyi Oyesola, Convener of DFC, said the DFC was a group of Nigerian healthcare practitioners home and in the Diaspora committed to enhancing healthcare delivery in the country.
Oyesola said DFC works to increase access to care and improve the health of all Nigerians through research, education, collaboration, and advocacy.
According to him, DFC members, who had returned to the country, had set up cardiology centres, cancer centres, and medical laboratories among others, to reduce the need for Nigerians to travel for such care.
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman, of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), said diasporans were a valuable asset, worth more than the billions of naira they sent home as remittances.
Dabiri-Erewa said that they contribute to national development through medical missions, investments, training and skills transfers.
She also buttressed the importance of synergy between Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora and the government, to promote socio-economic development.
