L-R: Head, Health and Education, Sub Sahara Africa, International Finance Corporation, Biju Mohandas; Country Manager, Nigeria, International Finance Corporation, Eme Essien; Chairperson, Hygeia Nigeria Limited, Fola Laoye; Head, Africa Investment Swiss Re, Yann Pambou and Director, HNL, Wole Adeleke, during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between IFC and Hygeia in Lagos...recently
By Martins Ifijeh
As part of efforts to boost healthcare in Nigeria, a major player in the medical service provision in the country, Hygeia Nigeria Limited, has signed an investment deal of 66.8 million dollars with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Investment Fund for Health in Africa II (IFHA II), Swiss Re and Ciel Healthcare Limited,
Speaking at the official signing ceremony, the Chairperson of HNL, Mrs. Fola Laoye, said the partnership was very significant because it would enable them address further issues around healthcare, as well as expand access to quality health services in the country.
According to her, through the project, Hygeia will have the capacity to reach more than two million patients over the seven-year investment period.
The Hygeia boss noted that one of the major result that will come out of the investment was the building of world class state-of-the-art tertiary hospital in Lagos, as it would help reduce medical tourism in the country.
“With the establishment of the tertiary hospital, more specialties will be invested in, and Nigerians will not have to go abroad to spend their dollars in other to get tertiary services,” she noted.
According to her, the partnership would greatly aid in improving healthcare infrastructures, adding that, several clinics would be built closer to the people, “they will be equipped and staff employed to provide the services.”
“Though we already have a footprint that is national through our Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), because we are operating in all the 36 states including Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with this investment and others, we should be able to get closer to the different communities around the country, by putting up hospitals and clinics, where their health needs will be met,” Laoye noted.
Asked about the affordability of these services, she stressed; “side by side with our HMO/health insurance, more Nigerians are sure to have more services at affordable prices.
“We will be able to expand the health insurance products to even more population than we have covered today, and through the product, we can give the services,” she added.
Also lending her voice, the Country Manager, Nigeria, IFC, Mrs. Eme Essien, said the financial institution considers the investment as timely, especially because health spending in the country was becoming very low, as well as fragmented.
Therefore, “we need to have a rising standard , such that at the end, an average Nigerian can walk into a healthcare facility and expect a certain level of service.
She said she was grateful that despite the challenges faced while putting the organisations involved together for the partnership, everyone finally came to the table to sign the investment deal for the benefit of Nigerians.
“When you think about the healthcare for a country like Nigeria, we are no where near where we need to be, there is so much that needs to be done, and the challenge is very huge, that is why we are stepping in,” she stressed.
Meanwhile the Head, Health and Education, IFC, Mr. Biju Mohandas, said apart from IFC’s Health in Africa Initiative, Nigeria was an easy choice because, it is one of the fastest growing and dynamic economy in the world.
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