The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to fostering strong public-private partnerships (PPP) in the health sector as part of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Programme and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
This reaffirmation came during the official visit of the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, to Everight Diagnostic and Laboratory Services Ltd., Abuja, where he applauded the facility for its innovation, quality service delivery, and contribution to stemming the tide of medical brain drain.
Dr. Salako praised the laboratory’s vision and resilience, noting that such private initiatives are crucial to national development.
“I’m impressed by what you’ve built here. It takes vision, perseverance, and collaboration,” the Minister said. “This is the kind of model the government encourages, where the private sector grows and contributes meaningfully to national health development.”
He encouraged Nigerian medical professionals to believe in the potential within the country, adding that home-grown expertise can transform the nation’s healthcare landscape.
“When you leave your country, no matter how hard you try, you’re unlikely to be number one. But here, you can create value, build systems, and lead in your own right,” he said.
In his welcome remarks, the Chairman and CEO of Everight Diagnostics, Dr. Everest Okpara, expressed gratitude for the Minister’s visit and recognition. He reiterated the organisation’s goal to reduce capital flight by offering reliable diagnostic services locally.
“Your visit is a huge morale boost for us. It means our efforts are being seen and appreciated,” said Dr. Okpara. “We are working towards reducing the over $2 billion lost annually to medical tourism and the outsourcing of advanced laboratory tests abroad.”
The Minister toured key departments of the facility including the Histopathology and Cytology Laboratory, Radiological Department (MRI, CT scan, X-ray, and Ultrasound units), and the Clinical Laboratory.
The visit is expected to open avenues for greater collaboration between the Ministry and Everight Diagnostics, leveraging PPP models to improve healthcare access and quality across Nigeria.
Dr. Salako’s visit underscored the Tinubu administration’s commitment to supporting indigenous healthcare solutions and advancing universal health coverage through strategic partnerships.
