The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Akwa Ibom State branch, has hailed the groundbreaking of the 350-bed international hospital within the Ibom Medical City.
The association described it as a historic milestone that would redefine healthcare delivery, medical education, and biomedical innovation in Nigeria and across Africa and also seek a free trade zone, a teaching hospital status to enhance its operation.
Key highlights:
- NMA hailed the groundbreaking of the Ibom Medical City.
- It described the project as a healthcare milestone.
- The association sought free trade zone status for the facility.
- It also urged the government to grant teaching hospital status.
- NMA called for greater investment and diaspora participation.
- It pledged support for the project’s successful implementation.
In a goodwill message signed by its Chairman, Prof. Aniekan Imo Peter, the association congratulated Governor Umo Eno and the people of Akwa Ibom State on what it described as a bold and visionary investment capable of transforming the state into a leading destination for quality healthcare, medical research, innovation, and medical tourism.
According to the NMA, the Ibom Medical City project demonstrates the governor’s commitment to strengthening the state’s healthcare system through strategic investments in modern medical infrastructure.
The NMA also commended the state government’s ongoing revitalization of the Ibom Specialist Hospital, particularly the installation of a state-of-the-art CT scanner and other modern diagnostic and therapeutic equipment.
It noted that the investments would improve healthcare delivery, reduce the need for patients to seek treatment outside the state, and restore confidence in tertiary healthcare services.
To unlock the full economic and healthcare potential of the Ibom Medical City, the association urged the Akwa Ibom State government to designate the Ibom Medical City corridor as a tax incentive and free trade zone.
It argued that such a policy would attract local and international investors, encourage the establishment of world-class hospitals, pharmaceutical industries, medical equipment manufacturing companies, and producers of hospital consumables, while creating thousands of jobs and stimulating economic growth.
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The association further called on public and private investors, including teaching hospitals, specialist hospitals, and research institutions, to establish facilities within the medical city.
According to the NMA, clustering healthcare institutions in one location would encourage collaboration in specialist training, clinical services, medical education, research, and innovation, positioning Akwa Ibom as Nigeria’s foremost healthcare hub.
The medical body also appealed to Governor Eno to consider upgrading the Ibom Specialist Hospital into a medical university and teaching hospital within the Ibom Medical City corridor to strengthen medical education and specialist training in the state.
In addition, the association emphasized the need for deliberate engagement with Akwa Ibom medical professionals in the diaspora.
It urged the state government to involve diaspora experts in the planning, development, governance, and operation of the Ibom Medical City, noting that their international experience, technical expertise, and global networks would help establish world-class standards in clinical care, medical education, research, hospital administration, quality assurance, and institutional governance.
“Their involvement will provide the robust institutional framework required to successfully develop and sustainably manage a medical city of this magnitude, positioning Akwa Ibom as a globally competitive centre of healthcare excellence,” the statement noted.
The NMA reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with the Akwa Ibom State government and other stakeholders to ensure the successful realization of the Ibom Medical City project, pledging continued professional guidance, technical expertise, and policy support towards making the facility a model of excellence in healthcare delivery, medical education, and biomedical innovation in Africa.
