President Jonathan Commissions N1 Billion Trauma Centre in Abuja

Presiden Goodluck Jonathan has commissioned a trauma centre considered to be world-class and conform to international standards and best practices. The centre was constructed and equipped at a cost of over nine hundred million naira.

Also, in an effort to arrest the high incidences of medical tourism, the Federal Government has said it would provide incentives that would motivate existing local health manpower and also encourage Nigerian health experts based abroad to return. The President stated this at the formal commissioning of the trauma centre at the National Hospital, Abuja.

The President, who was represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, said this would bring quality healthcare closer to more Nigerians and also reduce the depletion of scarce foreign exchange due to medical tourism.

To prove the seriousness of the government, Jonathan said: "We are modernising medical diagnostic and upgrading several tertiary healthcare facilities to meet the standards existing in those countries where Nigerians seek foreign medical treatment. We have also progressively improved healthcare financing and priority interventions."

He noted that the trauma centre has been appropriately equipped with modern facilities and that it is the first of its kind in the country.

The trauma centre, according to the President, is expected to provide the highest level of trauma management for severely injured patients in a timely and cost effective manner.

While lamenting that Ebola has claimed several lives in some West Africans countries including two deaths in Nigeria, Jonathan said his government was pained that the emergence of the disease in Nigeria was due to migratory transmission.

"It is important that we avoid panic and take the highest possible care in hygiene and contact, and by adhering to guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health. We have put measures and facilities in place for detection and management, and are working in concert with the international community to stem its spread. We must remain at high alert," the President stressed.

Speaking, Minister of Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu, disclosed that the centre has the capacity and capabilities to handle all trauma cases, including burns, fires, accidents, terrorism or other man-made disaster.

Source:Allafrica.com