Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah says the new 300 bed Enugu International Hospital is ready to position the state as a major destination for advanced medical treatment.
The governor made the statement during a tour of the facility ahead of its inauguration.
Mbah said the hospital had been equipped with modern medical technology and was designed to reduce the number of Nigerians travelling abroad for specialist healthcare.
He said the facility formed part of a deliberate strategy to attract medical tourism and strengthen the state’s economy.
The hospital will provide advanced services in oncology, cardiology, vascular medicine, neuroscience, renal care, transplant medicine and other specialist areas.
Management also plans to offer nuclear medicine, modern imaging and advanced cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Mbah said the state was receiving strong interest from Nigerian healthcare professionals abroad who wanted to return or contribute their expertise.
The hospital will also use telemedicine and digital medical systems to connect specialists in different locations.
Chief Executive Sam Agwu said six major centres of excellence would anchor the hospital’s specialist services.
Other departments will include maternal and child care, surgery, ear nose and throat care, dentistry and ophthalmology.
Former Nigerian Medical Association leader Sunday Okafor said the facility could help reverse the migration of doctors by creating opportunities to practise with high quality equipment at home.
Mbah said the project complemented investments in primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare and would also support job creation and investor confidence in Enugu.
