American Hospital Dubai has unveiled the American Hospital Dubai-Nigeria Limited, a world-class representative office in Lagos, serving as a vital link between the Dubai-based hospital and patients in local communities within Nigeria.
The chairman of American Hospital Dubai-Nigeria Limited, Mahmoud Harbaji, at the Representative Office launch event in Lagos, attested that he has always recognised Nigeria’s potential and importance within Africa, adding that American Hospital Dubai through its representative office in Lagos can make a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of Nigerians.
The consul general of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Nigeria, Dr Abdullah Al-mandoos, acknowledged the efforts of President Bola and and governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for supporting them to reach and achieve their initiatives. He added that with the support of his colleague, the CEO of the American Hospital Dubai Group, Mr Sherif Beshara, they can see the reality of whatever they were thinking and planning since 2019.
On his part, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, recounted that the state governor, in his meeting with the American Hospital Dubai team, had said that Lagos very much welcomes the initiative. “If Lagosians are going to Dubai for medical interventions, we would certainly want that journey to be as seamless, as safe and as problem-free as possible with more discounts via the office,” the commissioner added.
While the American Hospital Dubai had disclosed plans to establish a diagnostic center in Lagos, Abayomi urged the hospital to fast-track the process as it will make the state a medical tourism destination.
The Lagos representative office of the American Hospital Dubai would function as an embassy for patients in Nigeria with intent to access care from the Dubai-based facility, a member of the board, American Hospital Dubai-Nigeria Limited, Tonye Princewill, said, adding that: “Many hospitals take patients from Nigeria but very few are prepared to commit energy and resources developing that business. The expansion into Nigeria, which demonstrates the facility’s commitment to invest in Nigeria, is aimed to make accessing care in Dubai very seamless and convenient.
“For those people who want to go to AHD, instead of going online making searches/enquiries they can physically come to the Lagos representative office in Victoria Island where officials talk to them and make their trip to Dubai very much easier from visas to flights to accommodation. Already, they have approved a second office in Abuja and they’ve asked us to get space for a diagnostic centre in Lagos.”