With the launch of the American Hospital Dubai Representative Office in Lagos, which facilitates access to top-quality healthcare, stakeholders have indicated that Nigerians no longer need to travel abroad for medical treatment.
This sentiment was expressed during the inauguration of the advanced facility located in Victoria Island, Lagos, recently.
They emphasized that this initiative would help minimize the financial strain of medical tourism on Nigerians, asserting that citizens should have access to superior medical services without the necessity of leaving the country.
Mahmoud Harbaji, Chairman of American Hospital Dubai-Nigeria Limited, highlighted that establishing a world-class representative office in Lagos would connect the Dubai-based hospital with patients in various Nigerian communities.
Harbaji acknowledged Nigeria’s significance and potential within Africa, noting that the collaboration between American Hospital Dubai and its Lagos office could positively influence the health and wellness of the Nigerian population.
The well-attended launch attracted a variety of prominent figures including government officials, embassy representatives, politicians, and traditional leaders, such as Lagos State Health Commissioner Prof. Akin Abayomi, Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Health Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, former Director-General of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency Dr. Dakuku Peterside, and veteran actress, director, and entrepreneur Joke Silva.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Mandoos, the Consul General of the United Arab Emirates in Nigeria, commended the efforts of President Bola Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for facilitating these initiatives.
He mentioned that with the backing of his colleague, Sherif Beshara, CEO of the American Hospital Dubai Group, they could finally realize the plans they had since 2019.
At the event, Commissioner for Health Prof. Akin Abayomi recalled his initial discussions with Al-Mandoos about fostering joint initiatives between the UAE, Lagos, and Nigeria to enhance the healthcare sector, which had been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Representing the governor at the event, Abayomi remarked that the opening of the representative office marks a positive step forward.
He recounted the governor’s enthusiasm during discussions with the American Hospital Dubai team, expressing, “Lagos is very supportive of this initiative.”
“If residents of Lagos seek medical treatment in Dubai, we want that journey to be as easy, safe, and hassle-free as possible, possibly with better discounts through this office. However, Lagos has a distinct strategy, represented in the Lagos State Development Plan 2052, which is a comprehensive 30-year initiative for the growth of the state.”
He elaborated that the GDP of Lagos State has surged from N27 trillion at the start of Sanwo-Olu’s first term to nearly N45 trillion, making it a significant economic force in Africa.
Abayomi also pointed out that Lagos is home to 35 major general hospitals, treating up to a thousand patients daily, but expressed the need for specialized facilities capable of performing neurosurgery, advanced cancer treatments, kidney transplants, and more.
He stressed that Lagos serves as a commercial hub, where health is a vital aspect of any community’s economy, which is why the state government is committed to providing universal healthcare for its residents. “Lagos ranks as the 8th city in Africa for quality healthcare services, following Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Nairobi, Tunis, and Cairo,” he noted.
He further praised the efforts of both American Hospital Dubai-Nigeria Limited and the Lagos State Governor in bringing this initiative to fruition.
Tonye Princewill, a board member of American Hospital Dubai-Nigeria Limited, stated that the Lagos office would act as a representative for patients in Nigeria seeking care from the Dubai facility.
He added that this expansion into Nigeria demonstrates their commitment to investing in the country and aims to make accessing care in Dubai more straightforward and convenient.
Princewill noted, “Many hospital patients from Nigeria but very few are prepared to commit energy and resources to developing that business.
“For those people who want to go to AHD, instead of going online making searches/inquiries they can physically come to the Lagos representative office in Victoria Island where officials talk to them and make their trip to Dubai very much easier from visas to flights to accommodation.
“Already, they have approved a second office in Abuja and asked us to get space for a diagnostic centre in Lagos”.
