PPP Diasporan unit opens investment door for upbeat investors in health sector

Nigeria’s dilapidated health sector may soon be experiencing some sort of reprieve, as the Public Private Sector (PPP) Diasporan unit of the Federal Ministry of Health has open investment door for upbeat investors and partnership in the health sector.

By this development, the private sector is expected to engage deeper with the public sector to expand investment within the health sector, while bringing their own experiences and resources to bear.

“Already, NISSA Premier Hospital Concessionaire of Garki Hospital at the Federal Capital Territory is typical example of PPP that has commenced with the Health Ministry in management of government health institution,” Omobolanle Olowu, head, PPP and Diasporan unit at the Federal Ministry of Health, told BusinessDay in an exclusive interview.

Olowu noted however that the ministry had extended a hand of collaboration, working with the Diasporan in bringing their expertise during medical mission in the country.

“We have been able to sign MoU with some of the Diasporan association. Some of the agreements we signed with them that they would help in the development through capacity buildings, skills transfer, research and developments and also investments.

“We have been able to ensure that Diasporans coming for health mission make arrangements with our desk, and link up with professionals here in Nigeria. This would enable the health professionals here do follow up on the treated patient, and keep track on any development,” she said.

Recall, Nigeria loses more than $1 billion annually on medical tourism preferably to India where 47 percent of medical from Nigeria go to, improving the Indian economy while depleting our own.

A development the minister of health, Isaac Adewole, has said would not be sustained further for government workers unless it is certified Nigerian hospitals has shown no capacity for such treatment.

Furthermore, in showcasing Nigeria’s hospital services for investors and availability of services, she said: “We have been working with company called James Daniels Consulting, to showcase services being rendered in hospitals across the country.

“We did one here in Abuja, where some of our hospitals and teaching hospitals were showcased to the people in addition to the services they rendered. We are going to have another one in Lagos State this year. It is to give opportunity for people to look out for serves that are available here.”