Abia Medical Tourism is set for a major boost as the Abia State Government embarks on a transformative journey to establish a world-class medical city. Designed to deliver cutting-edge quaternary healthcare services, this ambitious project aims to position Abia as a premier destination for medical tourism in Nigeria. It seeks to reduce the country’s reliance on overseas treatments, conserve foreign exchange, and build a resilient, locally-driven healthcare system.
Arise News reports that the Abia State Government has forged a strategic partnership with MKP International Holdings, a reputable engineering, procurement, and construction consortium. This alliance is set to drive the development of the Abia State Medical City, Nigeria’s first quaternary healthcare complex, establishing new standards in advanced medical care.
Abia State Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Centre, Umuahia.
The State Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, confirmed the development to journalists on May 26 during a tour of the 200-hectare site in Mbasaa, near Owerrinta in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area. The land, designated for the project, has already been acquired and cleared, marking a significant step forward in its execution.
He said the partnership entails that MKP would finance, develop, build, operate and transfer” the facility, adding that the development partner would invest $1.3 billion in the project.
According to him, Abia’s part of the bargain was to provide land for the project, security, and goodwill, which it has done.
“This Medical City is the first quaternary hospital in this country that would take care of all levels of complicated healthcare issues,” Uche said, noting that it ranks as “one of the landmark projects” of Governor Alex Otti.
The Health Commissioner stated that the proposed world-class medical city would not only reverse medical tourism in Nigeria but also position Abia as a medical destination.
He said that the medical city would sit astride seven communities that contributed the expanse of land on about 200 hectares of land from both Isiala Ngwa South and Isiala Ngwa North LGs.
Uche explained that MKP agreed to fund the project “owing to the transparent record and, of course, the relentless visionary strides of (Governor Otti),” who was able to attract the world-renowned firm.
“The company already wishes to start construction even before the flag-off. So, everything is ready and you can see the very nice landscape,” he enthused.
Professor Uche stated that Abia Medical City was conceived “because we know that medical tourism is one of the major drivers of capital flight in this country”.
“It is estimated that about 1.6 billion Dollars, which many of us think is too conservative, is the amount of money that is lost from this country every year owing to medical tourism.
“So to reverse that and also to help curb the ‘jakpa’ syndrome, he (Gov. Otti) envisioned the development and establishment of the first quaternary healthcare ecosystem in this country, and that is the Abia Medical City,” he said.
Regarding the envisaged world-class status of the medical city, Uche revealed that the complex would have a 1,000-bed ultra-modern healthcare facility that can cater to every patient’s healthcare needs.
He said, “Apart from the ultra-modern medical facility, they are also going to have a tourist city. At the medical step-down hotel, there will be a five-star hotel and another five-star tourist hotel.
“You’re also going to have an ultra-modern oncology centre. As you may well know, cancer care is one of the reasons people leave this country for care abroad.
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“Whether you are talking about radiotherapy, you’re talking about radiosurgery, radio-oncology, you’re talking about emerging therapies, you’re talking about the neurochemotherapeutic agents.
“All those are going to be available here with the best-in-class medical experts that can come in from all parts of the globe to be part of the workforce in this place. So this ecosystem will also house a modern surgical centre that can take care of laparoscopic and robotic surgeries.
“It will also take care of all forms of brain, spine, orthopaedic, organ transplantation, cardiac transplant, cardiac surgeries, or any level of surgery. There will also be a place for cosmetic surgery”.
The Health Commissioner further listed the Medical City’s component facilities as including “an ultramodern children’s hospital, a fertility centre, an ophthalmology centre, organ transplantation, a diagnostic centre, and a hub for digital health technologies, among others.
He stated that the Medical City would also have research institutes affiliated with the best hospitals and universities worldwide.
He said expressions of interest for partnerships were already coming from top-class universities in the U.S.
“So this is a comprehensive ecosystem that is going to address all aspects of healthcare and promote wellness and good standards of care and living,’ Uche said.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Abia State Medical City?
The Abia State Medical City is Nigeria’s first quaternary healthcare complex, designed to provide advanced medical services and reduce the need for Nigerians to seek treatment abroad.
Who is partnering with Abia State to build the Medical City?
Abia State has partnered with MKP International Holdings, a globally reputable engineering, procurement, and construction consortium, to finance and build the medical city.
How much is being invested in the Abia State Medical City project?
MKP International Holdings is investing $1.3 billion to develop, build, and operate the medical city.
Where is the Abia State Medical City located?
The medical city is located on a 200-hectare site at Mbasaa, near Owerrinta, in the Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area. It spans seven communities in the Isiala Ngwa South and Isiala Ngwa North LGAs.
What healthcare services will the medical city provide?
The facility will offer comprehensive quaternary healthcare services, including oncology, laparoscopic and robotic surgeries, organ transplantation, cardiac surgeries, fertility treatments, pediatric care, ophthalmology, and more.
How will the medical city impact medical tourism in Nigeria?
By providing world-class healthcare services locally, the medical city aims to significantly reduce the billions of dollars Nigerians spend on medical treatment abroad, curbing capital flight.
Will the medical city include facilities beyond healthcare?
It will include a tourist city with five-star hotels and a medical step-down hotel, promoting medical tourism within Nigeria.
Are there plans for research and academic partnerships?
Yes, the Medical City will host research institutes affiliated with top hospitals and universities globally. Leading U.S. universities have already expressed interest.
