Senate, BoI, Nisa unveil 150-bed healthcare facility in Abuja

The Nigerian Senate, Bank of Industry (BoI) and Nisa International Medical Centre (NIMC) yesterday expressed their displeasure on how many Nigerians jet out of the country to treat their medical challenges, saying it is time for well-meaning Nigerians abroad to return home and invest in the health sector. This is as just the Senate and […]

The Nigerian Senate, Bank of Industry (BoI) and Nisa International Medical Centre (NIMC) yesterday expressed their displeasure on how many Nigerians jet out of the country to treat their medical challenges, saying it is time for well-meaning Nigerians abroad to return home and invest in the health sector.

This is as just the Senate and BoI unveiled a twelve-floor 150-bedded Nisa International Medical Centre to be managed and operated by Nisa Medical Group, in the highbrow Maitama District with a view to revolutionizing healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

Speaking during a facility tour by the Senate Committee on Industry, the Group Managing Director of Nisa Medical Group, Dr. Musa Shaibu, said the project is poised to become a leading healthcare provider in Nigeria and across Africa.

“Our goal is to advance medical education, embrace innovation, and build strong patient relationships. NIMC will provide tertiary and referral services, offer safe and high-quality treatments, reduce outbound medical tourism, attract international patients, and create jobs,” Dr. Shaibu said.

He noted that the centre would be equipped with cutting-edge diagnostic and treatment technologies, with special focus areas including maternal health, childcare, fertility, and chronic diseases, adding that the facility is not just about state-of-the-art infrastructure, but also about ensuring accessibility to healthcare for all Nigerians.

“Many Nigerians do not have access to specialist care. We are building a system where no one will be turned away due to inability to pay. With support from the National Health Insurance Act, we will ensure even the underserved can access quality care,” he added.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Industry, Senator Francis Fadahunsi, called on Nigerian doctors in the diaspora to emulate the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Nisa Medical Group, Dr. Ibrahim Wada, who has invested heavily in Nigeria’s health sector.

“There is no point in going abroad again, and our foreign reserves will be okay. There will be no depletion if we solve medical tourism. There is no need to be wasting money abroad. It is the same thing. It is just that facilities are there, but the facilities here are limited and this is one of the boosters.

“By the time this one is working, you will see a lot of ‘big men’ coming here because they are suffering there. I’ve never been there and I will not go there. So, I’m encouraging people to invest in the health sector in Nigeria.

“Most of our doctors abroad only come temporarily, perform surgeries, collect their fees in dollars and leave. It’s time they returned to contribute meaningfully by establishing facilities like this,” Fadahunsi said.

Also speaking, former Governor of Kebbi State and committee member, Senator Adamu Aliero, identified poor facilities and equipment as major drivers of brain drain.

“I’m very impressed with what I have seen today. If the hospital is completed, it is certainly going to reverse medical tourism in Nigeria. Instead of Nigerians going abroad for medical treatment, we will be receiving people from abroad coming for medical treatment.

“What is causing brain-drain is lack of equipment and lack of facilities. So, if we’re able to get this type of facility in Nigeria, Nigerians will not be traveling abroad for medical tourism. Even medical personnel who are currently in Europe, in the Middle East and America will be attracted to come home.”