(http://fmi.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/ministersofhealth-300x224.jpg) The Federal Government has mapped out strategies to reduce outward medical tourism in the country, and this is already working. Modernization and refurbishing of the existing Federal Tertiary Hospitals is one of the strategies, as announced by the Minister of Health, Dr. Onyebuchi Chukwu while presenting the Ministry's score in the 2013 Ministerial Platform, in Abuja.
visit to the precomissioning of federal staff hospital Abuja Federal Government has also set up ministerial committee on unlocking the private sector potentials for the establishment of world class hospitals and high end diagnostic centers in each of the six geopolitical zones. This, the Minister said, is to ensure that the number of Nigerians going outside the country for medical treatment is reduced to a minimal level, and funds saved.
Dr. Chukwu added that, the acknowledgement and deliberate encouragement of the private health sector by the government has led to the upsurge in the number of private health facilities providing world-class services in the areas of cancer screening, laser surgery, amongst others.
Launch Of Truscan for detecting fake drugs Since outward medical tourism cannot be reduced without the elimination of substandard, fake and counterfeit drugs; in line with which, the Minister reiterated that the Federal Government has deployed the use of ICT for detection of fake drugs through TRUSCAN, a mechanical device for detecting fake drugs; and text messaging technique for the authentication of drugs, leading to zero tolerance of fake and counterfeit drugs.
Via: Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria