President Bola Tinubu’s recent departure from Abuja to Paris for a private visit has sparked conversations among Nigerians, with many speculating that he is seeking medical treatment abroad.
Despite this, the Nigerian government asserts that people from countries like the UK and the US are now coming to Nigeria for quality healthcare.
During a briefing with State House correspondents, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, announced that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had approved the ratification of the African Medicines Agency treaty. This decision was made during the council’s second meeting of the year, held on Tuesday.
The treaty, which was initiated by the African Union Heads of State and Government at their 32nd meeting in Addis Ababa in February 2019, aims to enhance the regulatory capacities of member states regarding medical products. Minister Pate emphasized that this would improve access to safe, quality-assured medical services and promote common standards across the continent towards a Pan-African regulatory framework.
“With this treaty, we are expanding the market for products manufactured in Nigeria, enabling trade with other African countries,” said Mr. Pate.
The FEC also approved six contracts for major diagnostic equipment, including three MRI machines and two CT scanners, to be installed at various medical facilities such as the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in Akwa Ibom State and the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Minister Pate highlighted that Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure is steadily improving, with teaching hospitals receiving significant upgrades. He mentioned that people from regions like the United Kingdom and the United States are now coming to Nigeria for quality healthcare.
He concluded by stating that the transformation promised by President Tinubu is beginning to take shape, with continuous investments being made to sustain and enhance the healthcare system.
