President Jonathan's Remarks at the Commissioning of Nigerian Turkish Nizamiye Hospital

Remarks by
His Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR
At the
Official Commissioning of the Nigeria - Turkish Nizamiye Hospital
Life Camp, Abuja
Thursday 20th February, 2014

1.            Today’s commissioning of the Nigeria-Turkish Nizamiye Hospital in Abuja, represents another important landmark in the existing cordial relations between Nigeria and Turkey. I am glad to note that our relationship is steadily growing into several facets of our national economy, including the education and health sectors.

2.            I would like to congratulate the Management Board of Nigeria-Turkish Nizamiye Hospital for this noble project, which represents a significant investment in our health sector.

3.            If our citizens are not healthy, then the efforts and resources we have expended in transforming our country will be in futility. Therefore, investment of this nature deserves to be encouraged. This action also demonstrate a concrete and commendable response to Government’s clarion call for enhanced private sector participation in healthcare delivery in Nigeria, which is the bedrock of our Transformation Agenda.

4.            The determination of government is to ensure access to quality and affordable health care services to our citizens. In this regard, the role of the private sector in complementing government’s effort is crucial.

5.            Undoubtedly, Private Sector initiatives such as this hospital, will help Government’s efforts to  halt the enormous capital flight arising from increased medical tourism, and the avoidable stress experienced by Nigerians on such missions.

6.            No doubt, the state-of-the-art medical diagnostic equipment available at this hospital, will meet the needs of those who may have had to travel outside the country for such care.

7.            Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, government is committed to the provision of improved healthcare for all Nigerians. To this end, a high Level National Committee of Experts constituted by the Federal Government, under the chairmanship of Mr. Tony Elumelu, is working assiduously to develop a network of improved modern healthcare infrastructure.

8.            To further stimulate investment in the health sector, we have also signed a country to company investment memorandum of understanding, with General Electric (GE). Under this platform, a number of world-class diagnostic and treatment facilities are currently being developed in Abuja, Lagos and other locations across our country.

9.            Ladies and Gentlemen, I need not overstate the inherent benefits and opportunities of these on-going initiatives at improving healthcare fundamentals. Besides, the provision of advanced services to our citizens at affordable cost, our country will experience the inward flow of medical tourism and enhanced foreign exchange earnings.  The advantages of expanded job creation and training opportunities are other enhanced benefits of the growing investment in the sector.

10.       We shall continue to reinforce our strong resolve and commitment to the Health Sector by providing the enabling environment for private entrepreneurship to thrive. We have not only established legal and regulatory frameworks to protect the interests of investors, government and consumers for Public-Private Partnership, we have also put in place investment-friendly policies and programmes, and specific guidelines on medical missions.

11.       Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to use this opportunity to again invite the Private Sector within and outside Nigeria, to join our collective efforts to take healthcare delivery in our country to the next level, by utilising the viable and varied investment opportunities, now abound in our country.

12.       Once again, I congratulate the Management Board of Nigeria-Turkish Nizamiye Hospital for this laudable project, that I believe will also help consolidate and sustain progress in Turkey and Nigeria relationship.

13.       I thank you.