Make Ibom Medical City Free Trade Zone – NMA Urges Governor Eno

By Patrick Titus, Uyo

The Akwa Ibom State branch of Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Akwa Ibom has advised Governor Pastor Umo Eno to designate the newly inaugurated Ibom Medical City Corridor as a Tax Incentive and Free Trade Zone.

Chairman of NMA in the state, Professor Aniekan Peter who gave the advice in a goodwill message during the groundbreaking of the 350-bed Ibom Medical City said such a designation would attract both local and international investors.

He added that it would also encourage the establishment of world-class hospitals, pharmaceutical industries, medical equipment manufacturers, and producers of hospital consumables, while creating employment opportunities and stimulating economic growth.

The Association further called on both public and private investors, including federal, state, and privately owned teaching hospitals, specialist hospitals and research institutions, to consider locating their facilities within the Ibom Medical City.
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His words: “The clustering of healthcare institutions will foster collaboration in clinical services, specialist training, medical education, research and innovation, thereby establishing the city as Nigeria’s foremost healthcare hub.”

The Association also urged the governor to deliberately partner with Akwa Ibom medical professionals in the diaspora in the planning, development, governance and operation of the Ibom Medical City.

“Harnessing the expertise, global experience and international networks of these professionals will help establish the highest standards of clinical care, medical education, research, hospital administration, quality assurance and institutional governance,” he said.

While reaffirming its readiness to partner the state government in efficient healthcare delivery as well as realization of the project, the chairman urged Governor Eno to strongly consider making the Ibom Specialist a medical University /Teaching hospital in the corridor.

On the Ibom Specialist Hospital, NMA thanked the governor for the repositioning, saying through the provision of a state-of-the-art CT Scanner and other modern diagnostic and therapeutic equipment; healthcare delivery would improve significantly while reducing medical referrals outside the state.