The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority NEPZA says two health management companies are set to invest in world class hospitals for cancer and kidney respectively.
Managing Director of NEPZA, Prof. Adesoji Adesugba disclosed this while receiving officials of Citizens Health Limited and Brown Brommel Medicals in Abuja.
Adesugba said scores of prospective anchor tenants seeking to establish world class hospitals and pharmaceutical industries in the new Special Medical Free Zone in Lekki area of Lagos signal gradual end to unnecessary medical tourism abroad.
The NEPZA boss described the development as a realisation of a joint dream, adding that the Authority was working toward using the special medical zones to end decades of medical tourism by Nigerians abroad.
According to him, the frequent and sustained medical trips abroad by citizens continue to hurt the economy badly.
Adesugba explained that the newly approved special medical zone located in Lekki was attracting expected attention.
He further said that the huge area overlooking large body of water and isolated swamps clustered by the Lekki Quadrant of Lagos Free Zone, Lekki Free Zone, Dangote Free Zone Enterprises as well as Alaro City Free Zone made it a hot-spot for investment chains.
Adesugba promised that the Authority was prepared to relax perceived stringent rules to ensure the comfort of anchor tenants.
“The Special Medical Zone in Lekki will be competitive as we are working toward the concentration of world class hospitals there. We are searching for anchor tenants to drive this revolution,” Adesugba noted.
“Already, scores of prospective investors have come knocking on our door, so you are welcome to collaborate with us.
“I hope you are aware that the location is one of the best sites in the country with great opportunity for other business chains ranging from transport/logistics, electricity, estate development, tourism/hospitality among others.
“We are also opened to bringing into the zone world class pharmaceutical companies to serve Africa and the rest of the world from Lekki. The prospect of the zone is unimaginable,’’ he added.
Vice President of Brown Brommel Medicals, Brain Barnes, said the company had come to explore the possibility of setting up of an advanced Modern Integrated Diagnostic and Dialysis Center at the zone, adding that the center proposed to sit on 10 hectares of land would also provide sundry medical services.
Barnes, who was represented by Mr Chris Obuekwe, Group Managing Director, said the company was delighted to take advantage of the country’s free trade zone scheme, adding that citizens deserved to enjoy the best of medical services the world could provide.
A Director with the Citizen Health Limited, Cynthia Okirie, said the company aimed at tapping into the free zone incentives to transfer the required health technology and services into the country.
She explained that Citizen Heath Limited UK was known for its proficiency in the treatment and management of cancer, adding that the Lekki special medical free zone would serve as the ideal launch pad for the improvement of the health sector in Nigeria.
Nneka Ukachukwu
