Rivers State sets sights on medical tourism crown

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has committed to transforming the state into the premier destination for medical tourism in Nigeria and across Africa. This ambition is underpinned by significant investments in enhancing healthcare infrastructure and services, with a special focus on primary healthcare to address the disparities across the healthcare delivery system.

Fubara’s strategy, as conveyed by his Chief Press Secretary Nelson Chukwudi, includes the comprehensive overhaul of primary healthcare facilities throughout the state. This effort aims to integrate these facilities with secondary and tertiary healthcare institutions to provide quality healthcare services to the population efficiently.

The Governor takes pride in the state’s progress in the health sector, highlighting the improvements at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) through personnel training and the establishment of critically equipped units. The implementation of the contributory healthcare insurance law is another step towards optimizing healthcare delivery.

Fubara acknowledged existing challenges in the healthcare system, such as inadequate manpower and corruption, pledging to address these issues to ensure the system’s optimal performance.

Dr. Adaeze Oreh, the Rivers State Commissioner for Health, further illustrated the state’s advancements under Fubara’s leadership, particularly in primary healthcare. The renovation and upgrading of existing facilities aim to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for the state’s residents. Additionally, the approval and implementation of the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme, a health insurance scheme, marks a significant milestone for the state in enhancing healthcare accessibility, especially for vulnerable populations.

The ongoing recruitment of health workers for the RSUTH and the Rivers State Hospitals Management Board, as approved by Fubara, has attracted interest from citizens working abroad, indicating a strong diaspora engagement with the state’s healthcare sector developments.

For global travelers and medical tourists, these developments in Rivers State could offer new, high-quality healthcare options within Nigeria and Africa, showcasing the state’s commitment to becoming a key player in the international medical tourism sector.

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