Health sector set to grow faster, says Osinbajo
VICE President Yemi Osinbajo has said the health sector is set to witness unprecedented growth in a resurgent Nigerian economy with the investments being recorded in the sector.
A statement by Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, in Abuja, quoted Osinbajo as making the comment, yesterday, in his virtual remarks at the official unveiling of the Evercare Hospital in Lekki, Lagos.
The hospital, part of the Evercare Group, operates as an integrated healthcare delivery platform in emerging markets across Africa and South Asia, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Kenya and Nigeria. The international group has set aside a $ 1billion healthcare fund. “The business case for more top quality medical care in Nigeria has always seemed quite obvious, but I think the fact that the Evercare Health Fund ( a $ 1 billion emerging markets healthcare fund) has chosen to invest in Nigeria clearly confirms even to the greatest skeptics that we are seeing the birth of what may well become one of the fastest growth areas in a resurgent Nigerian economy,” Osinbajo submitted
On the importance of having such a medical institution in Nigeria, the vice president said: “We must reverse the trend of outbound medical tourism. There is the need to attract, not just medical tourists from our neighbors in the region, but also become the place of choice for even developed countries’ medical tourists looking to jump long queues for specialised procedures at home.”
Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo- Olu, commended the management of the hospital for their collaboration with residents of Lagos, local and foreign investors in building a firstclass edifice catering for the people.
Others present at the event were Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi; Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budgeting, Mr. Samuel Egube; Chairman of Evercare Hospital, Mr. Tosin Runsewe; Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Rajeev Bhandari and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ayo Shonibare.