Angela Onwuzoo
A leading private healthcare provider in the United Arab Emirates, American Hospital Dubai, has unveiled plans to open its first representative office in Lagos to provide access to world-class treatment for Nigerians.
The initiative is part of the hospital’s 30-office expansion across Africa and Eastern Europe to widen its medical care excellence footprint.
A statement made available to PUNCH Healthwise by the hospital’s management said the expansion would ensure more Nigerians benefit from the premier hospital’s world-renowned and evidence-based medical care.
It noted that the hospital had always been the medical care destination for Nigerians because of its top-notch, evidence-based, and culturally attuned treatments and care from the best doctors and specialists.
A quarterly statistical bulletin of the Central Bank of Nigeria for Q1 2023 revealed that Nigeria’s medical tourism spending rose by over 40 percent.
Many Nigerian leaders and politicians travel abroad to seek medical treatment in the face of crises in the health sector, poor primary health care system, poor facilities, brain drain, and disease outbreaks, among others.
It will be recalled that former President Muhammadu Buhari repeatedly travelled out of the country for medical treatment.
Speaking on the expansion plans in Nigeria, Group Chief Executive Officer of American Hospital Dubai, Sherif Beshara, said, that opening its representative office in Lagos would ensure the hospital addresses the needs of more Nigerians looking for affordable and trusted healthcare overseas.
Beshara stated that besides being the channel for seeking medical treatments at American Hospital Dubai, the Lagos representative office would promote local community engagements and knowledge-sharing online seminars with Nigerian healthcare professionals.
According to him, these education, empowerment, and awareness-raising initiatives are integral to the hospital’s mission to give back to society, and the representative office will actively engage with the Nigerian people and the healthcare system.
Beshara said, “The UAE has consolidated its position as one of the premier global medical tourism destinations. It enjoys a growing international trust in the healthcare sector, excelling in delivering distinctive experiences and launching numerous initiatives to attract global medical tourists. The UAE’s expertise, innovation, high healthcare standards, and collaborations enhance its international standing in this field.
“American Hospital Dubai is committed to providing advanced medical technologies and collaborating with global experts in life sciences. It reflects our dedication to innovation, cutting-edge, multi-specialty healthcare services, and our commitment to patient safety and satisfaction.”
He further noted, “Another significant feature of the Lagos representative office is its dedicated travel desk, which will design the most affordable treatment packages exclusively for Nigerian patients seeking care at American Hospital Dubai.
“It will also provide complete support with their travel arrangements. Travel between Nigeria and the UAE has resumed after the lifting of the ban by the UAE government earlier this year”,
He assured that the hospital would offer dedicated and round-the-clock international patient services with its International Patient Team fully trained to assist and advise patients and their families on consultations, appointment scheduling with the right doctor, and coordinating patient referrals.
“ The International Patient Team also provides visa assistance, air travel arrangements, and hotel accommodations, with access to the hospital’s specialist doctors for comprehensive virtual consultations and addressing inquiries before patients arrive in the UAE”, he added.
Also speaking, a Board Member of American Hospital Nigeria, Prince Tonye Princewill, said, “No hospital has taken the steps that the AHD is taking.
“From their investment plan for the country to their capacity building initiatives, list of equipment to be delivered, and the overall rollout timetable for Nigeria, it is clear their commitment is unrivalled.
“At the rate they are going, it is the healthcare system of the country that will be a net beneficiary. We need to encourage investors like them and I’m glad for the reception they are getting.”
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