By Merit Ibe
The Federal Government has said Nigeria loses an estimated $2 billion annually to medical tourism, which reflects the gap in confidence, access, and quality within the local system.
Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammadu Ali Pate, represented by Prof. Lanre Wasiu Adeyemo, CMD of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) made the remark at the commissioning of a state-of-the-art 50-bed multi specialty Hospital by Avon Medical Practice, in Lagos, a subsidiary of Heirs’ Holdings, yesterday.
Ali Pate was, however, optimistic that the trend can be reversed with collaboration of the private sector, adding that the government was ready to co-create pathways for private sector engagement, whether through health insurance expansion, regulatory reforms, or integration of private facilities into national health programs and referral systems.
“We welcome urban medical, and indeed all winning private providers, to come alongside us as partners in building a healthier, safer, and more equitable Nigeria.
“As we commission this facility, we stand not just as a symbol of brick-and-mortar excellence but as a beacon of possibility, a reminder that when vision meets values and business meets purpose, healthcare in Nigeria can be world-class.”
He noted that health priorities are not the responsibility of the government alone but require full partnership of the private sector, state government, local government, development partners, civil society, academia as well as all our communities. Today’s launch of the medical facility is a shining example of how private sector investment can complement the public sector. Public sector efforts are expanding access to critical services such as emergency care,
diagnostics, specialized treatment, all within our national borders.”
Congratulating the Avon Medial team for the feat, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu corroborated the minister on the need for collaboration with the private sector, noting that health practitioners, institutions and facilities everywhere in the world were not achieved by one arm of the side table.
Admitting that the government must create the enabling environment for private equity, private partners, and private investors to take the decision and put their investment into the health profession, Governor Sanwo-Olu sought the collaboration of the private sector to boost the health sector.
“I encourage and congratulate the entire team of Avon Medical. Listening to the story of how it started in 2009, they wanted to make an impact and footprint of what vision they saw. And Avon Medical, I dare say, has put its name in the sands of time in this industry, not only in Lagos but in Nigeria.”
The governor encouraged others to toe the path of the company and promised his administration will continue to provide the enabling environment.
“And so for us, it’s really to thank you, to encourage you, to say that we’re watching and we want to assure you that we’ll continue to create and enable the environment of that to work and to encourage others that want to also participate.”
Dr. Tony Elumelu, founder and Chairman of Heirs Holdings, applauded Governor Sanwo-Olu’s health system support, which he said is to a large extent unbeatable, citing his achievements during the COVID-19 era. “We all saw what happened during COVID 19 and with his able director and the commissioning of health facilities, they gave us hope and they did deliver and they have continued to deliver.”
He said the presence of the governor despite his busy schedule “can only come from a governor that truly appreciates the relevance and importance of healthcare and also one that knows that this is fundamental and foundational to creating wealth and progress for Lagos state and all of us.
Giving a short history of how the journey began, Dr. Awele Elumelu, chairperson of Avon Medical Practice, noted that the decision and the first step to make world-class healthcare
accessible and affordable to all officially began in 2009. Not just for the wealthy, not just for the privileged few, but for everyone.”
She pointed out that overburdened public hospitals, lack of modern equipment, medical professionals being stretched to their limits, and a lot of people simply being frustrated not being able to get medical help in time, led to the birth of Avon Medical Practice.
“And we couldn’t look away, so we decided to do something about it. So, that single decision to step in gave birth to Avon Medical.
“The first was to provide excellent healthcare services, and the other, to ensure that people could actually afford them. That combination was deliberate.
It was our way of ensuring that we were not only building facilities, but we were also creating access to them.”
She said approximately 48 percent of Africans lack access to quality healthcare, which we all need.
Only about 3 percent of global health workers have access to quality healthcare, which we all need.
In Nigeria alone, Dr. Awele lamented that the gap in the number of available and qualified doctors, beds, and improvements, reflects the system under pressure, noting that the African healthcare system is the hardest hit by the migration crisis.
“Now, these are not mere numbers. They represent people, real people, real stories, real lives, and far too often, they represent women and children. Which is why this facility matters, because now more women will receive the maternal care they need to safely bring life into the world.”
Applauding the presence of dignitaries in the gathering, Akinbiyi Oke, chief executive officer of Avon Medical Practice, noted that their presence means a lot and reflects the shared belief that healthcare should not be the privilege but the right, accessible to every individual regardless of status or background.
He said the launch of the health facility is a bold promise that Avon Medical remains fully committed to delivering affordable, world-class healthcare
with empathy, innovation and excellence at its core. This facility is a testament to what collaboration, enterprise, collaboration and focus execution can achieve.
Your unwavering trust, support and belief in our nation have made this vision possible.Together we are not just improving lives, we are transforming Africa one patient at a time.