… Urges Diaspora Partnership For Project
Bassey Nkponam
IBIONO IBOM
The Federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Ibom International Hospital (IIH) and Ibom Medical City Project, to ensure its success, as Akwa Ibom government unveiled its world-class International Hospital.
Coordinating minister of health and social welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, who gave the assurance during the recent official unveiling of the 10-storey smart world-class Ibom International Hospital (IIH) building along the medical corridor in the State, said the Federal Government will support the project, particularly in pharmaceutical development and technical collaboration, calling on Nigerians in the Diaspora to partner towards its success.
Pate noted that the unveiling of the project marked a significant step toward transforming Nigeria’s healthcare and life sciences landscape, expressing satisfaction with the scale of investment and commended Akwa Ibom government for its vision.
He said the project aligns with the Federal Government’s broader healthcare reforms, which have contributed to steady progress in the sector, including reductions in neonatal mortality rates, praising Akwa Ibom government’s clarity of vision, determination, and effective leadership.
In his remarks, the State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, stated that the initiative aims to improve healthcare access and promote the well being of Akwa Ibom residents in both urban and rural communities, emphasizing that the IIH project would not only enhance health outcomes but also create employment opportunities for the people.
Eno noted that Nigerians spend an estimated US$2 billion annually seeking medical care abroad, particularly in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom and India, saying the Ibom International Hospital was designed and conceptualised to help reverse the trend by delivering world-class health care services across critical specialties including oncology, cardiology, cardiovascular surgery, neurology, neurosurgery, trauma care, orthopaedics, critical care and other advanced fields of medicine.
The governor said government’s aspiration for the Ibom International Hospital was to become Nigeria’s benchmark for technology-driven, patient-centred healthcare, and an institution that will attract patients, healthcare professionals, research partnerships and investments across Africa and beyond.
According to him, beyond improving health outcomes, creating employment opportunities, attracting world-class talent and further strengthening the State’s reputation as a destination for excellence, the health facility will help promote medical tourism in line with government’s huge investments in tourism as a means of diversifying its economy.
He further stated that, conceived in line with his governance blueprint – the ARISE Agenda, the Ibom Medical City project aligns squarely with the Nigerian Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) and the broad healthcare objectives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
In addition, he said the Ibom Medical City would provide a conducive environment for professionals in the Diaspora to contribute their expertise to the development of the state’s health sector, reaffirming his administration’s readiness to collaborate the Federal Government and other partners to ensure the successful delivery of the project.
Beyond the project, he said his administration has also constructed model primary healthcare centres, most of which can pass for functional general hospitals across all 31 local government areas, in addition to the recruitment of over 2,854 medical personnel into the State civil service and re-engaging retired medical professionals who are still strong enough to serve as consultants.
Eno expressed gratitude to the Federal Government, particularly, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for making funds available for critical infrastructure projects and pledged his continued commitment to national development.
He described the unveiling of the IIH project as a major milestone for the State, and expressed optimism that the project would be completed and commissioned in the second quarter of next year.
The commissioner for health, Dr Ekem John, outlined the impacts of Governor Eno’s interventions, while correcting misconceptions about the Ibom Specialist Hospital, describing it as an integral component of the Ibom Medical City.
John said the Ibom Medical City project is expected to serve not only Akwa Ibom State but the entire nation and beyond, positioning Nigeria as a hub for advanced medical services and innovation.
Stakeholders, including project partners from both the public and private sector, addressed the gathering, highlighting the economic and healthcare benefits of the initiative.
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