ABUJA, Nigeria – The traditional ruler of Garki in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Usman Ngakupi, has urged the West African College of Physicians (WACP) to partner with governments and private investors to establish specialist hospitals across West Africa and reduce medical tourism.
Ngakupi, Chairman of the Garki Chiefdom Traditional Council, made the call on Saturday during a medical outreach organised as part of the WACP’s 50th Annual General Scientific Meeting (AGSM).
He said Africans travelled to the United States, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Turkey and India for specialised treatment that could potentially be provided within the region through increased investment in healthcare infrastructure and expertise.
“My prayer and request to this body is that you people are trying, but I want us to see how you can do more so that we can have special hospitals that will serve as tourist destinations,” he said.
Ngakupi proposed that every state or country work towards establishing at least one specialist tertiary hospital to provide advanced treatment and attract patients from across the region.
He also urged wealthy individuals, business leaders and young professionals to invest in specialist healthcare, naming Aliko Dangote as one of the business figures who could help mobilise resources.
According to him, stronger local healthcare systems would reduce the financial burden on patients and families who spend heavily on treatment abroad.
Brain Drain Threatens Specialist Healthcare
Ngakupi also warned that the migration of trained doctors was weakening healthcare delivery, citing poor welfare and difficult working conditions. “We are lacking physicians, and as soon as we manage to train and graduate them, they leave the country. The young people you manage to retain are also faced with a lot of problems,” he said.
He called on governments and healthcare stakeholders to assess the challenges facing the sector and improve working conditions to retain skilled medical professionals. Ngakupi said West Africa had the potential to strengthen its healthcare systems through sustained investment, better staff welfare and regional cooperation.
He commended the WACP for bringing the medical outreach to his community.
WACP Reaffirms Commitment to Regional Cooperation
WACP President Dr Mamadou-Mourtalla Ka reaffirmed the College’s commitment to improving healthcare standards and specialist medical training across West Africa.
Ka thanked the traditional ruler and residents for supporting the outreach, adding that the College would continue working across Anglophone, Francophone and Lusophone countries.
“Healthcare has no borders. Healthcare does not recognise borders,” he said, stressing the need for countries to collaborate in addressing shared health challenges.
He added that the College would continue engaging traditional institutions, governments and other stakeholders to strengthen specialist training and healthcare delivery.
Medical Outreach Brings Care Closer to Residents
Dr Nnena Okafor, Chairman of the Medical Outreach Subcommittee for the WACP’s 50th AGSM anniversary, said the exercise took place at LEA Primary School in Waru, Abuja. She said residents received health education, medical consultations and treatment for common conditions, including fever, headaches, abdominal pain and malaria.
The medical team also performed minor surgical procedures, including lump excision and herniorrhaphy, at the primary healthcare centre. “Right now, we are attending to our sixth patient, and the procedure is ongoing at the primary healthcare centre,” Okafor said.
She reported a strong turnout and said enough doctors were available to attend to residents. Okafor added that the outreach aimed to improve access to medical care and health information within the community.
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