Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, announced that the state’s healthcare reforms over the past eight years aim to harness the over $3 billion Nigerians spend on medical tourism. He made this statement during his keynote address at the event celebrating five years of quality service at the Edo Specialist Hospital (ESH), held at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy in Benin City.
Governor Obaseki highlighted the vast potential in the healthcare sector, noting, “Over $3 billion of our money is spent on medical treatment abroad. This amounts to trillions in our currency. We need to provide similar care here in Edo State so that this spending benefits us locally.”
He emphasized the need to unlock the value within the healthcare system to realize these opportunities. He cited the Edo Specialist Hospital as a prime example of a successful operating model that can work within the state.
Describing the hospital as a symbol of his administration’s broader reforms, Obaseki explained that although the facility was conceived ten years ago by the previous administration, it faced significant challenges, including a collapse during construction that necessitated a redesign. Despite these hurdles, the hospital has emerged as a testament to the resilience and spirit of Edo’s healthcare professionals.
Governor Obaseki noted, “The hospital was initially a political issue, but we were determined to make it operational. We focused on reforming and rebuilding institutions, particularly the health sector, to reduce the need for residents to seek medical care outside the state or country.”
In 2017, Obaseki assembled a team to transform the health sector, resulting in the creation of the Edo Health Improvement Programme (Edo-HIP). This initiative aims to provide care for the over five million people in Edo State, addressing core issues like healthcare financing.
“Healthcare is expensive globally, but instead of building new five-star hospitals, we invested in improving existing facilities. Today, we celebrate that our efforts have benefited the people,” Obaseki added.
During the event, the governor also awarded a scholarship to the first baby born at the Edo State Specialist Hospital.
