Enugu International Hospital nears launch to curb medical tourism

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has inspected the nearly completed 300-bed Enugu International Hospital, a facility designed to reduce medical tourism and capital flight from Nigeria. The hospital, located at Rangers Avenue, Independence Layout, is equipped with state-of-the-art medical technology intended to provide advanced services locally.

Professor Sam Agwu, CEO of the Enugu International Hospital, stated that the facility aims to address the high costs of outbound medical travel, which is estimated to cost Nigeria between $1.2 billion and $2.39 billion annually. The hospital will focus on key specialties driving capital outflow, including oncology, cardiology, nephrology, and orthopedic surgery.

By providing advanced diagnostic and therapeutic services, such as specialized cancer care and PET scan capabilities, officials expect to reduce medical tourism outflow by approximately 40 percent within the first year of operation. The long-term goal is to position Enugu as a continental medical hub capable of attracting patients from Europe and America seeking high-quality, cost-effective care.