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Seven years after, Enugu govt transfers diagnostic centre to NSIA

By Lawrence Njoku, Enugu
03 May 2023   |   3:21 am
Seven years after the multi-million naira Enugu State Diagnostic Centre was built, but could not function due to lack of needed facilities, the state government, yesterday, launched a bold effort to realise the objective of the centre..

NSIA

•Agency launches two companies to deliver healthcare expansion plan

Seven years after the multi-million naira Enugu State Diagnostic Centre was built, but could not function due to lack of needed facilities, the state government, yesterday, launched a bold effort to realise the objective of the centre with its formal transfer to the National Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) for management, operation and equipment.

The centre, built by the Sullivan Chime administration for medical diagnosis of all kinds, had been dormant since it was completed. Part of the facilities was, however, used to house and treat victims of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022 and placed under lock and key thereafter.

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who handed over the facility to officials of NSIA, told the gathering that it was in line with policies of his administration to provide quality and affordable healthcare to the people of the state.

Ugwuanyi added that an agreement was signed, in September 2022, between NSIA and the state government to transform the centre after due approval was sought and got from the state executive council, stressing that he was satisfied that the objective was being realised.

The governor, who underlined huge investments his administration had made in the health sector, including building and equipping the state’s Disease Infectious Hospital, equipping and commissioning of 93 primary healthcare centres, renovation of the state’s general hospital, recruitment of medical personnel, among others, said: “This is in furtherance of our effort to leverage strategic connections between health, productivity and socio-economic wellbeing of the people.”

He said that the partnership with the NSIA had the propensity of engendering quality healthcare in the state and generates huge revenue, especially from Nigerians seeking quality healthcare overseas.

MEANWHILE, NSIA, yesterday, also announced the launch of two of its flagship companies, NSIA Advanced Medical Service Ltd (MedServe) and Equilease Systems Limited (EquiLease).

This is coming on the heels of the receipt of the Enugu State Medical Diagnostic Centre from the state government under its healthcare expansion programme.

Delivering his remarks the three-part event, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NSIA, Aminu Umar-Sadiq, said that MedServe is being set up to serve as the vehicle to deliver NSIA’s healthcare expansion objectives with a goal to providing high-quality and affordable healthcare services and ensure equitable geographic access to these services across the country.

Umar-Sadiq noted that the company would develop, equip and operate NSIA’s expanding portfolio of healthcare centres and offer first-class medical services nationwide.

On the other hand, EquiLease is a specialised equipment leasing service provider. He noted that EquiLease is conceived as a market disruptor, the company will provide medical equipment leasing services, leveraging its strategic advantage to catalyse investments in healthcare institutions and facilitating acquisition of equipment to improve the quality of care in the country.

He stressed that the transfer of the Enugu State Medical Diagnostic Centre from the Enugu State government is part of the three-part event. Umar-Sadiq said: “Following the transfer, the centre will be rehabilitated and upgraded to deliver both diagnostic and oncology services covering automated laboratory services ranging from imaging to radiotherapy, chemotherapy, brachytherapy and much more.

“The centre will be managed and operated by MedServe, while re-equipping will be delivered through the leasing services provided by EquiLease.”

The complete overhaul of the Centre’s infrastructure will position the facility to meet the growing demand for quality healthcare services in the eastern region of the country and beyond.

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