By Chioma Obinna & Ebele Onuorah

Plans are at advanced stage to establish the Nigerian wing of the multi-specialty Medanta Hospital of India in Nigeria within the next two years.

Renowned cardiologist, Dr. Trehan Naresh stated in Lagos that Medanta, a conglomeration of multi-super specialty institutes led by exceptional medical practitioners from all over the world who are leaders in their respective fields, offers a wide spectrum of clinical care, education, and research.

Naresh who led a team of the 6th West African Health International Health Exhibition and Conference (WAH) in Lagos noted: “We have identified areas where we can build one those super hospitals where Nigerians can get care at home, near home in Nigeria at the cost which will be half the cost of going overseas. So, hopefully, in the next two years, we will have a hospital present here, and we are talking to the government for the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.

“By our visit, we understand what the need of the healthcare system over here is. In India, we went through some of these things recently and we developed a system for health. We can develop the institutions here also, we can offer healthcare at affordable costs, so, I’m really 100 per cent sure of that.”

He said at least 50 Nigerian patients are seen in Medanta Hospital every month in India for various medical conditions.

Mendata also has nine specialist medical institutes covering heart, neurosciences, bone and joint, kidney & urology, cancer, critical care and anaesthesiology, digestive & hepatobiliary services, minimally invasive surgery as well as transplant and regenerative medicine.

Trehan who addressed journalists at an Airtel Nigeria briefing during the conference, said he would explore means of incorporating public private partnership in healthcare with governments in Nigeria.

Trehan hinged the appeal of India as a medical destination of choice on the fact that Indian hospitals such as Medanta “can provide treatments for ailments at a much higher level of success and do a much better job at one fifth of the price in Europe”.

Executive Director, and Chief Operating Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Deepak Strivasatava said respect for Trehan was high due to his expertise in cardiology.