Tinubu Enabling Medical Industrialisation - Information Minster
Information and National Orientation Minister Mohammed Idris has said the Federal Government's efforts to address medical tourism have received a boost with the recent inauguration of three oncology centres across the country.
The minister said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been doing everything possible to ensure medical industrialisation in Nigeria at an unprecedented pace.
A statement by his media aide, Rabiu Ibahim, said Idris spoke at the inauguration of the newly constructed Clinical Oncology Cancer Centre at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Katsina State the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital UNTH, Enugu State and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital UBTH, Edo State.
"What President Tinubu is doing is not just about improving medicare in Nigeria, but most importantly about positioning the country for medical industrialisation. This is not just bringing in drugs or equipment but creating the enabling environment for these drugs and equipment to be produced here in Nigeria," Idris said.
The minister hailed President Tinubu for facilitating the construction of the three oncology cancer centres in Katsina, Enugu, and Benin. He said they would provide accessible and affordable treatment for cancer patients, thereby reducing the need to seek medical care abroad.
"Today, if you go outside for cancer treatment, it's because that's your choice and not because there is no option provided by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu," Idris said.
Commenting on the centres, Prof. Pate stressed that given the significant burden of cancer in Nigeria - recording approximately 127,000 cases and 80,000 deaths annually - President Tinubu deliberately prioritised healthcare delivery as a key pillar of his Renewed Hope Agenda to address this critical public health challenge.
"To take care of someone who has cancer costs families their investment, savings, and can tip households into poverty in addition to the huge impact that can reverberate in terms of trauma to families and societies," he said.
Also, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, emphasised President Tinubu's determination to ensure that Nigeria moves from project conception and planning to implementation, as witnessed in the health sector.
"It is across the board that the type of transformation that we are seeing and we are witnessing in the health sector, ably led by the Honorable Minister of Health," he said.