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Centre to stem N720bn lost yearly to medical tourism

By Adaku Onyenucheya
08 November 2018   |   4:10 am
Experts have commended the facilities and health services of the new Princess Medical Centre in Trans Amadi Port Harcourt as one of the best medical...

Experts have commended the facilities and health services of the new Princess Medical Centre in Trans Amadi Port Harcourt as one of the best medical facilities in the country, comparable to other world class facilities in India and other parts of the world. They said the facility could stem the over N720 billion ($2 billion) the country loses yearly to medical tourism to India, Germany, United States (U.S.), United Kingdom (U.K.), Canada, Saudi Arabia, South Africa among other countries.

First National Vice President of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Tijo Kenneth Mengeh, made this declaration when he led a delegation of national and state officers of NMA to a facility visit of the hospital at Trans Amadi Industrial area as part of events to mark the 2018 annual Physicians week in Port Harcourt. According to him, a cursory look at the multi-specialty, emergency, diagnostics and other facilities and healthcare services offered by the hospital, the management has shown their commitment to bring another dynamism to hospital operations, adding that the hospital is bringing a value that will make this premier facility locally accessible to patient, while contributing in stemming the tide of medical tourism in this part of Nigeria that gulps millions of dollars in cash annually.

Similarly, the President of the NMA, Dr. Francis Adedayo Faduyile commended chairman of Princess Medical Centre, Dr. Emi Membere-Otaji, for opting to make this huge medical investment in the country. He described him as a distinguished Medical Practitioner, who had successfully forayed into other business interest but is still committed to his primary constituency, the medical profession.

In his brief remark, the Chairman of Princess Medical Centre who is a one time Commissioner for Health, Dr. Emi Membere-Otaji, thanked the delegation for the visit, noting that the new hospital called The Signature is designed to be the first hospital to combine the Patient-Hotel concept with care giving in Nigeria.

Built on a six floors with technologically advanced medical equipment and patient concierge system, he said Princess Medical Centre is a multi-specialty hospital where five-star hospitality meets quality and affordable healthcare. The facility visit was succeeded by a welcome cocktail party for the NMA delegation at the residence of Dr. Emi Membere-Otaji in Port Harcourt.

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