President Bola Tinubu on Friday unveiled the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA)-Healthcare Expansion Programme, which aims to establish 10 oncology and diagnostic facilities across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, who stated this in a statement, said the initiative was announced during the launch event in Bauchi State.
The President, represented by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, said the new projects will complement the ongoing expansion of cancer infrastructure and equipment in six federal teaching hospitals.
He added that the projects are designed to improve the health and social wellbeing of Nigerians while positioning the nation as a healthcare hub in Africa.
The President stated that beyond providing essential healthcare to Nigerians, these facilities would reverse the trend of outbound medical tourism.
He also said upon completion of the first phase, the NSIA, through its subsidiary, Medserve, will operate the largest chain of oncology and diagnostic centres in West Africa, with the capacity to train up to 500 clinicians over three years, in addition to enhancing clinical trial and research capabilities.
“I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, and the NSIA for their vision, innovation, and dedication to making this programme a reality. Through inter-sectoral partnerships like these, we can achieve significant healthcare and economic outcomes.
“This programme will serve as a blueprint for future healthcare infrastructure projects, propelling us towards our national healthcare goals: saving lives, reducing suffering, and ensuring health for all Nigerians.
“The second initiative, the launch of the retraining of 120,000 frontline health workers, is a personal performance indicator for me as the African Union (AU) Champion for Human Resources for Health and Community Health Delivery Partnership. We all know that health workers and other professionals are the backbone of our healthcare system.
“By equipping them with the latest skills and knowledge, we ensure they are well-prepared to meet the evolving healthcare needs of our population,” the President said.
Underscoring the viability of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), Tinubu affirmed that the nation’s productivity and wealth depend on the vitality of its people, and that basic healthcare is a fundamental human right, as well as a matter of long-term national security.
“The NHSRII has provided strategic direction for our health investments, focusing on critical areas such as maternal and child health, disease prevention, and health system strengthening. The Compact with State Governors and Development Partners, being deployed as the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), has been crucial in advancing our health sector. These frameworks have fostered collaboration, alignment, and accountability, ensuring our collective efforts are harmonized towards achieving our health goals.
