(March 14, 2016): Delta, Investors To Boost Medical Tourism-okowa

Delta State Governor, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa has disclosed that his administration would partner with investors in the development of a world class hospital to boost medical tourism in the state.
Senator Okowa who made this disclosure yesterday when he received the management team of Group 5 Construction Company, a South African firm led by Mr. Themba Mosai in Asaba said that preliminary meetings were on to explore the possibility of building a world class hospital to boost medical tourism in the state.
He noted that the initiative was a laudable one as a lot of money leave Nigeria on medical tourism.
“If we have a hospital of international standard like this, that will meet the medical needs of those travelling abroad for treatment, it will be an investment that will yield results and profit for the state.” he said.
The governor explained that it was innovative of the company to source for resources for the development of the project, stating that the government would find a reasonable ground to partner with them.
“Investing in Delta State is like investing in Nigeria because we are one of the biggest oil and gas producers in the country, l believe that the partnership will be beneficial to both sides and we hope to have a fruitful deliberation with your company.”
Earlier, the leader of the team, Mr. Themba Mosai, explained that they were in Delta State to discuss with the government on partnership in the development of a world class hospital to boost medical tourism in the state.
He stressed that the local community would be involved in the construction of the project “This will not only create job opportunities for the host community, it will also improve the area economically.”
Meanwhile Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has called on well meaning philanthropists and corporate bodies to partner with the state government to boost healthcare delivery.
Governor Okowa made the call yesterday during the commissioning of a 20-bedded Amenity Ward at the Central Hospital, Kwale donated by Midwestern Oil and Gas Company to the state government
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Azinge, at the occasion, said the donation would further boost affordability, accessibility and qualitative health service delivery in the health institutions across the state.
He called on other public spirited individuals and organizations to emulate the kind gesture of the donors, saying that such goodwill would help to bridge the gaps of infrastructure deficits in the health sector, emphasizing that government alone could not meet the enormous health challenges.
The governor while commending Midwestern Oil and Gas Company and its partner, SunTrust Oil Company Nigeria Limited called on the health managers of the benefiting hospital to ensure the facility was properly utilized and maintained.
The Managing Director, Midwestern Oil and Gas Company, Engr. Charles Odita said the donation was borne out of the company’s burning desire towards improving the health needs of residents in its host communities.
He said the company had also impacted positively on the lives of the host communities and Deltans in general in the areas of provision of scholarship, class room blocks and road construction, among other social responsibilities.
The Medical Director of the Central Hospital, Kwale, Dr. Donald Agu, while conducting the governor round facilities at the Amenity Ward, said the project would be put to judicious use.
The highlight of the occasion was the formal commissioning of the Amenity Ward and unveiling of the plaque by the governor, which had in attendance the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah and the Chairman, Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Mordi Ononye.