President Goodluck Jonathan has said his
administration will reduce medical tourism to
the barest minimum, as he stated that
government officials will henceforth be stopped
from seeking medical treatment abroad except
in special cases.
Jonathan has therefore directed the Ministry of
Health to collaborate with the Ministry of
Finance and Trade and Investment to consult
with medical practitioners with a view to
supporting private investors to build state-of-
the-art hospitals in the country.
This was disclosed after the president held a
meeting, yesterday, with the Nigeria Medical
Association, NMA in a bid to ensure the
proposed strike by the association does not
hold.
According to a source who was present at the
meeting, the president’s decision would
promote local potential, strengthen the sector,
improve fiscal policy on medical equipment
and check the growth of medical tourism.
He said Jonathan had also directed that before
any government official is allowed to travel
abroad for medical reasons, government must
first be satisfied that no such medical services
exist in Nigeria.
The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS),
according to him, would be critically looked
into by the president to make it more
productive.
Yesterday’s meeting was presided over by
Jonathan and had in attendance, Vice-
President Namadi Sambo; Governor Emmanuel
Uduaghan of Delta State; Minister of Labour,
Chief Emeka Wogu; Minister of Health, Prof.
Onyebuchi Chukwu; Director-General of
Budget Office, Dr. Bright Okogu; and the
Chairman of the National Salaries, Incomes
and Wages Commission, Chief Richard Egbule,
among others.
administration will reduce medical tourism to
the barest minimum, as he stated that
government officials will henceforth be stopped
from seeking medical treatment abroad except
in special cases.
Jonathan has therefore directed the Ministry of
Health to collaborate with the Ministry of
Finance and Trade and Investment to consult
with medical practitioners with a view to
supporting private investors to build state-of-
the-art hospitals in the country.
This was disclosed after the president held a
meeting, yesterday, with the Nigeria Medical
Association, NMA in a bid to ensure the
proposed strike by the association does not
hold.
According to a source who was present at the
meeting, the president’s decision would
promote local potential, strengthen the sector,
improve fiscal policy on medical equipment
and check the growth of medical tourism.
He said Jonathan had also directed that before
any government official is allowed to travel
abroad for medical reasons, government must
first be satisfied that no such medical services
exist in Nigeria.
The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS),
according to him, would be critically looked
into by the president to make it more
productive.
Yesterday’s meeting was presided over by
Jonathan and had in attendance, Vice-
President Namadi Sambo; Governor Emmanuel
Uduaghan of Delta State; Minister of Labour,
Chief Emeka Wogu; Minister of Health, Prof.
Onyebuchi Chukwu; Director-General of
Budget Office, Dr. Bright Okogu; and the
Chairman of the National Salaries, Incomes
and Wages Commission, Chief Richard Egbule,
among others.
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