The National Hospital, Abuja, has announced an ambitious initiative to establish a cutting-edge medical facility in Nigeria aimed at reducing the country’s reliance on medical tourism. Prof. Muhammad Raji, the hospital’s Chief Medical Director (CMD), disclosed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday.
The proposed facility will offer specialized services including cardiac surgery, kidney transplants, and orthopedic procedures—treatments that often compel Nigerians to seek medical care abroad. “By providing these treatments here, we can retain our patients in the country and offer them the same quality of care,” Prof. Raji stated.
Additionally, the CMD revealed plans to establish a Neuro-Rehabilitation Centre, addressing a significant healthcare gap in Africa. He urged both government and private sector support for this vision, emphasizing that such a facility would not only enhance healthcare outcomes but also contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth.
Prof. Raji highlighted the necessity of increased private sector involvement, as the government alone cannot bear the financial burden of healthcare. He called for stronger collaboration between the government, private sector, and philanthropists to address the critical challenges facing Nigeria’s healthcare system.
“The government has many priorities, and while health is indeed one of them, we cannot solely depend on the government to cover hospital bills and other healthcare costs. We must engage philanthropists and private companies to contribute to healthcare services,” he said.
Prof. Raji also raised concerns about the severe impact of power outages on hospital operations, describing the situation as a crisis. He urged the government to intervene urgently and explore alternative energy sources to ensure consistent power supply, which is vital for the operation of life-saving equipment such as ventilators.
He commended the recent increase in the minimum wage for Nigerian workers, acknowledging it as a positive step towards motivating healthcare professionals. However, he emphasized that more needs to be done to ensure sustainable healthcare financing in the country.