The Lagos State administration has committed to continue providing the proper regulatory environment and infrastructure support for businesses and healthcare institutions, in order for the state to become a key destination and hub for healthcare delivery across Sub-Saharan Africa. The state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, made the announcement at the first anniversary of Duchess International Hospital in Ikeja, Lagos. He claims that the state is working on a strategic plan to reverse medical tourism and attract highly skilled and experienced medical professionals from the diaspora to Nigeria.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, lauded the hospital’s management and personnel for their incredible feats over the previous year, as well as the hospital’s enormous commitment to providing affordable quality healthcare to the state residents. Dr. Adetokunbo Shitta-Bey, the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to improving Nigerians’ lives through access to affordable, world-class healthcare. He stated that the hospital is committed to restoring credibility in the healthcare system, offering high-quality, low-cost treatments to Nigerians, and reversing the trend of medical tourism overseas.
The hospital posed a great advantage in helping Nigerians mitigate costs.
Speaking on the affordability of the hospital’s services, Dr. Shitta-Bey explains that registering as a patient at the Duchess International Hospital costs N5,000, as does consulting with a specialized family physician. He stated that Duchess Hospital is a “one-stop shop” for basic, secondary, and tertiary care services and is affordable to all Nigerians. According to him, the hospital is positioned to save Nigerians millions of naira in medical tourism for the treatment of conditions and diseases that might otherwise necessitate medical intervention overseas.
This assertion was bolstered by patient testimonies at the event, including one from Otunba Alaba Shonibare, who successfully had knee replacement surgery at the hospital a few months ago. He spoke eloquently about the level of care he received while at the hospital and why he chose the Duchess Hospital for his knee surgery. Reflecting on the year’s milestone achievements, the CEO stated that the hospital is gratified to have successfully performed a wide range of regular and complex expert procedures across several specialties and subspecialty clinical services.
Lagos state government is committed to achieving SDG 11-17.
In a recent development, the Lagos State Government also revealed that it had prepared an action plan and initiatives to restore, preserve, and control recognized environmental deterioration that may have negative environmental consequences. Tunji Bello, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, made this known during the 2022 Walk for Nature celebration, themed “Only One Earth.” He noted that the walk was done contemporaneously in Ikoyi/Obalende, Surulere, and Ikeja Local Government Areas in collaboration with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation.
Bello, represented by Dr. Omobolaji Gaji, the Permanent Secretary of the Office of Environmental Services, stated that the state government was committed to achieving Sustainable Development Goals 11-17 and had developed policies to conserve biodiversity. Bello was speaking on behalf of the Office of Environmental Services. He also asserts that the current administration will not back down from its goals to raise awareness about adopting a green and blue economy as natural wealth is utilized responsibly for the flourishing of Lagos.
The governor stressed the value of private sector.
In addition, Governor Sanwo-Olu assured private investors of a conducive business environment when he received Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and a delegation of investors from his country at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, months ago. Sanwo-Olu emphasized that his administration is committed to ensuring the success of private investors in the state. He stated encouraging private investors is one approach to establishing Greater Lagos as a 21st-century economy. He pledged to roll out incentives in business policies and enhance the index on ease of doing business in the state for the mutual benefit of the state and investors.
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