- Written by EMEKA ANUFORO, ABUJA
THE first exhibition of healthcare facilities and services to
showcase the Nigerian based hospital facilities, services and
professionals to the general public will take off next week, according
to the Federal Ministry of Health.
The exhibition is scheduled for Abuja and would run from October 21 to October 23, 2014 in Abuja.
It is organized by the Federal Ministry of Health in partnership
with the Guild of Medical Directors, the Association of the General and
Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, Pharmaceutical Society of
Nigeria, the Medical and Laboratory Scientists Council of Nigeria,
Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and James Daniel Consulting.
Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, said in Abuja
yesterday that the exhibition would showcase available world class
medical facilities, services and personnel that can take care of any
health related problems in Nigerian citizens.
The objective of the exhibition, he noted, s to launch Nigeria
as an emerging regional healthcare destination and also promote Nigeria
as a preferred destination for domestic patient.
Chukwu urged Nigerians to believe in the capability of the
Nigerian health professionals especially with the success registered by
Nigeria in the containment of Ebola Virus Disease.
He said: “The major objective of this exhibition is to launch
Nigeria as an emerging regional healthcare destination and to promote
Nigeria as a preferred destination for domestic patient and a hub for
regional medical tourism seeking high quality and cost effective
procedures and treatments.
“In view of the foregoing, Federal Tertiary Health Institutions,
relevant state government hospitals, private hospitals, diagnostic
centers, laboratories and pharmaceutical companies from across the
country will be expected to showcase the available infrastructure,
services along with the location of their various healthcare facilities
to Nigerians” stated Chukwu.
Permanent Secretary of Federal Ministry of Health, Mr Linus
Awute in a welcome address stressed that the programme would ultimately
place Nigeria on the pedestal of achieving delivery of quality health
services to Nigeria citizens.
He urged the public, stakeholders and the media to plan to
witness the “positive trend”, which he said would assist Nigeria in
achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).