…Facility to transform medical practice in Nigeria, West Africa – GMD

…Senate hails Dr. Wada, says centre will curb medical tourism

By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

In a major step toward revolutionizing healthcare delivery in Nigeria, Nisa Medical Group has unveiled its flagship project — a 150-bed world-class tertiary healthcare facility in Abuja.

Located in the highbrow Maitama District, the twelve-floor Nisa International Medical Centre (NIMC) is set to begin operations soon, promising to deliver top-notch medical services that will reduce the need for Nigerians to seek healthcare abroad.

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.

According to him, NIMC 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, commended the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Nisa Medical Group, Dr. Ibrahim Wada, for his vision and investment in Nigeria’s health sector.

He urged Nigerian doctors in the diaspora to emulate Dr. Wada by returning home to invest in the country’s health infrastructure.

“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.

“With facilities like NIMC, we can reverse brain drain and keep our professionals at home while attracting medical tourists from other countries,” he said.

Executive Director, Large Enterprises, Bank of Industry, Ifeoma Uz’Okpala, emphasized the economic and professional benefits of the project.

“This institution is a milestone in Nigeria’s healthcare system. It will curb foreign medical trips, save foreign exchange, and slow down the brain drain in the sector,” she said.

The Nisa International Medical Centre is expected to significantly impact the country’s healthcare landscape, both in terms of service delivery and economic value.