By Gabriel Olawale

With over $1billion expended on medical treatment overseas, Management of CEDARCREST Hospitals, Nigeria, has said it is determined to halt medical tourism through the provision of world class health services in the country.

The Medical Director, Dr. Felix Ogedegbe who made the assertion in Lagos, during the unveiling of its new hospital in Victoria Island area of Lagos, said since its operation in Nigeria nine years ago, it has seen over 110,000 patients, the majority of whom have carried out unsuccessful operations abroad.

Ogedegbe identified collaboration with world class experts in the diaspora as part of strategies that have enabled them to attain the current heights.

“We have also proffered local solutions to some of our problems which include; making our own oxygen, generating our own air power and running multiple electrical back-up systems for our equipment.

“We have patients from neighbouring West African countries for treatment. Some patients previously operated abroad unsuccessfully, have had to be re-operated on here in CEDARCREST.

“Our operations in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt have looked after nearly 40,000 new patients and over 70,000 returning patients over the last 10 years, saving the country huge amounts in foreign exchange,” he said.

Ogedegbe further disclosed that they have installed a factory to produce prosthetic limbs in conjunction with Ottobock of Germany.

“We hope to provide custom made prostheses, orthoses and mobility solutions to the West Africa sub-region. Our specialist reach now includes orthopaedic surgery, neurosurgery, vascular surgery, interventional radiology, eye surgery, ENT surgery among others,” he explained.

In attendance at the commissioning were the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment in Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti; Former Executive Director, GT Bank, Mr. Akinola Taylor; Director, Military Hospital Lagos, Brig. Gen. A. Kigbu; Director, DADP, Nigeria Army, Brig. Gen. Elvis Njoku among others.