Enugu Government Calls for Investment in Healthcare to Improve Standards and Medical Tourism
The Enugu State government has urged private investors, both locally and from the Diaspora, to invest in healthcare infrastructure in order to boost medical tourism in Nigeria. This call was made during the grand opening ceremony of the Health Focus Diagnostics Nigeria Medical Diagnostics Centre, a collaboration between Health Focus, a German consultancy, and Unimedical Healthcare, aimed at strengthening healthcare systems across Africa.
Governor Peter Mbah, represented by his deputy, Ifeanyi Ossai, expressed concern over the significant amount of money Nigerians spend on medical tourism annually, estimated at over $1.5 billion. This amount, he noted, benefits other countries’ economies instead of investing in Nigeria’s healthcare sector. Mbah emphasized that with the right investment, Enugu State could become the healthcare tourism hub of Nigeria, benefiting from its well-established healthcare institutions that train medical professionals.
Mbah commended the initiative by the founders of the new medical centre, calling for more similar investments to develop the state’s healthcare sector. He stated that no society can truly develop without access to quality healthcare.
In other news, the organized labour in Enugu State has clarified that there are no ongoing issues regarding the implementation of the N80,000 minimum wage. The workers confirmed that the payment began in November 2024 and assured that discrepancies in the adjustment process would be addressed. The state’s workers expressed confidence in Governor Mbah’s commitment to their welfare, noting that the governor had earned their trust since taking office.
The statement came from key labour leaders in Enugu, including the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Fabian Nwigbo, the Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Ben Asogwa, and the Chairman of the state’s Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JNC), Ezekiel Omeh. They also assured that there were no plans to go on strike, as the issues were being handled in good faith.
