The Nigerian Medical Association, Akwa Ibom State branch, has appealed to Governor Umo Eno to designate the Ibom Medical City corridor as a Free Trade Zone with tax incentives to attract local and international investment into the state’s healthcare sector.
In a statement issued in Uyo on Sunday, the state chairman of the association, Professor Aniekan Peter, said the initiative would encourage the establishment of world-class hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, medical equipment manufacturing firms, and producers of hospital consumables.
According to him, the proposed designation would also generate employment opportunities while boosting economic growth across the state.
“Designating the Ibom Medical City corridor as a Tax Incentive and Free Trade Zone will attract both local and international investors. It will encourage the establishment of world-class hospitals, pharmaceutical industries, medical equipment manufacturers and producers of hospital consumables, while creating jobs and stimulating economic development,” Peter said.
The appeal follows the recent unveiling of the 350-bed Ibom Medical City by the Akwa Ibom State Government, a project aimed at improving healthcare delivery, reducing outbound medical tourism and positioning the state as a centre for specialised healthcare services in Nigeria and across Africa.
The association also encouraged public and private investors, including teaching hospitals, specialist hospitals and research institutions, to establish facilities within the medical city corridor.
Peter noted that concentrating healthcare institutions in one location would promote collaboration in specialist training, medical education, clinical services, research and innovation.
“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,” he stated.
The NMA further urged the state government to upgrade the Ibom Specialist Hospital into a teaching hospital and establish a medical university within the corridor to strengthen medical education and training.
In addition, the association called for greater involvement of Akwa Ibom medical professionals in the diaspora in the planning, governance and operation of the project.
According to Peter, leveraging the expertise and international networks of diaspora professionals would help ensure high standards in clinical care, research, hospital administration 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,” he added.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with the state government and other stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the project.
It also commended Governor Eno’s investments in healthcare infrastructure, particularly the provision of a modern CT scanner and other diagnostic equipment at the Ibom Specialist Hospital, noting that the facilities would improve healthcare delivery, reduce patient referrals outside the state and restore confidence in tertiary healthcare services.
