The Federal Government has restated its determination to end medical tourism by strengthening and equipping existing health facilities and providing the necessary manpower, as it lamented that over one billion dollars has been spent yearly by Nigerians on medical tourism in the past fifteen years.

Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, stated this at the commissioning of an additional Linear Accelerator and Oncology Infrastructure Upgrade at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State.

He was accompanied by the Minister of Finance and Economy, Chief Wale Edun and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.

Pate stated that the President Bola Tinubu administration was passionate about improving the quality of healthcare in Nigeria.

The project was in partnership with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and Medserve. The three ministers were deployed to commission the project.

Pate stated that the president had doubled the health budget in the last two years, stressing that from about 1.7 billion naira last year, the budget had increased to about N2.3 billion this year.

He stated that President Tinubu means well for the people of Nigeria and has approved the installation of a modern linear accelerator in each of the country’s geopolitical zones, based on his realisation that cancer is the most common illness that takes Nigerians abroad.

“We have commissioned that of Katsina, and we are here in Enugu. From here, we will commission that of Benin, and by next week, three more will be commissioned. This is based on the promise the president made to ensure the health of the people of the country. As it is, our people now have a choice of what part of the country to obtain and access these facilities for their cancer care. It will save the money that we normally spend on medical tourism abroad. This will improve the quality of healthcare for Nigerians. It is a promise from Tinubu, and he is delivering. We are poised to build a country that we all deserve,” he stated.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammed Idris, stated that the machine installed at Enugu was the best anywhere in the world, stressing that the realisation of the project was an indication that Tinubu had delivered “a dream of more than 30 years despite the challenges in the country.”

“At the beginning of the governance of Tinubu, we were told to fasten our belts, and today we are seeing one of the biggest projects happening here. You can imagine the amount that we were spending before now. In two years, we have been able to bring these innovations in healthcare to save our people and to say that cancer is not a death sentence,” he stated.

He attributed the Oncology upgrade to commitment and focus, stressing that “Tinubu is not only promising but delivering. We have seen the loan scheme, investment in agriculture, and shift in medical practice.”

He added that the federal government was focusing on industrialising medicine in Nigeria, whereby drugs and facilities used by healthcare facilities are produced locally. He urged Nigerians to support the president’s aspirations to enable him to continue delivering.

Also speaking, Minister of Finance and Economy, Chief Wale Edun, stated that the project was a major milestone in national development, stressing that it was borne out of determination and courage to deliver.

“We, the three ministers, were directed to give you a sense of commitment on behalf of the president to continue to deliver in areas that matter most for the ordinary Nigerians. We will find ways to facilitate ordinary Nigerians who will need the treatment,” he said.

He added that the economy had stabilised with a growth in reserves, noting that the development leaves governments at every level to continue delivering impactful projects for Nigerians.

Speaking about the Linear Accelerator, Chief Medical Director of UNTH, Prof. Obinna Onudugo, stated that it would enhance cancer treatment capabilities and provide effective radiation therapy to patients.

He said that the project came with many other things, such as a water treatment plant, a CT Scan machine, and furniture, among others, which would significantly improve diagnostic and treatment capabilities in the centre.

He stated that the hospital was on the verge of developing 1,000 housing units at low costs for the workers who operate in Enugu urban, adding that when completed, it would significantly impact the operations of the area.

Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, represented by his deputy, Ifeanyi Ossai, appreciated the federal government for the facility and appealed to the workers to ensure its optimal use for the benefit of the people.