India, Nigeria partner to reduce medical tourism

India’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ghanashyam Rangaiah, on Tuesday, said his tenure would mostly be directed at promoting education and health cooperation with Nigeria.


Rangaiah told NAN in Lagos that this would reduce the number of Nigerians visiting India for education and medical purposes.

“As the new India High Commissioner to Nigeria, I want to be slightly different from my distinguished predecessors.

“My emphasis will be on the promotion of health and education with Nigeria. I will like to say that, today, the greatest anchor of Nigeria and India will be in these areas.

“Gradually, we are trying to make Nigeria stand on its own and be the beacon of strength for the rest of West Africa,” he said.

The high commissioner said he was working on the possibility of encouraging India colleges and universities to come and establish in different parts of Nigeria.

The envoy also said he was working hard at making more India hospitals to come and work with Nigerian doctors.

Rangaiah explained that the purpose was to make qualitative education and good health facilities accessible and affordable to Nigerians instead of travelling to India.

“We longer want Nigerians to come to the conclusion that it is only when they visit India that they can study or have access to good quality healthcare.

“We believe that with our cooperation with Nigeria in the development of her education and health sectors, the number of Nigerians and the high costs of travelling to India will be reduced.

“I personally feel that it is expensive for Nigerians to be going to India for medical treatment and study,” he said.