Niger Delta
Indian High Commissioner Harps On Medical Tourism
The Indian High Com
missioner to Nigeria, Mr Ajjampur Ghanashyam, last Monday expressed the hope that the Nigeria Navy Referal Hospital in Calabar would become a medical tourism destination.
The high commissioner, who led a delegation on a visit to the headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) in Calabar, stated this when he inspected facilities at the100-bed hospital.
Ghanashyam was received by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), ENC, Rear Adm. Obiora Charles-Medani.
He expressed the optimism that the discussion opened on the issue would be fruitful.
“We had thought of having the discussion in Abuja but when we came we found out that the hospital structure was ready and we though it will be a good idea to start discussing.
“At the end of the discussion, we expect that the outcome will lead to medical tourism.
“There is so much congestion in Lagos and Abuja; so, it is a good idea to start with Calabar and once this is done, it will attract other organisations.
“People in this Cross River are lively and they are lucky to have a state like this,’’ he said.
Responding, Charles-Medani said the Navy invited the delegation from India to help set up an excellent hospital.
Earlier, the FOC inspected a parade to mark the end of the second FOC bi-annual inspection of units under the Eastern Naval Command.
He said the Navy would continually focus on passenger boats plying the waterways in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states to tackle piracy and other crime.
He charged commanders of operational bases in the areas to improve on their operations to curtail the ability of pirates to attack local passenger and trading boats plying Oron and Calabar waterways.