CALABAR – The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Ajjampur Ghanashyam, on Monday inspected the Nigeria Navy Reference Hospital, Calabar, expressing hopes for the turn-around of the facility to medical tourism destination.
Ghanashyam, who led a delegation on a visit to the headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) in Calabar, said they had opened a discussion on the issue with the Nigerian Navy.
Received by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), ENC, Rear Adm. Obiora Charles-Medani, Ghanashyam expressed optimism that the discussion would be fruitful.
According to Ghanashyam, the idea of developing the referral hospital to a medical tourism destination will attract others to come to the state.
“We had thought of doing the discussion in Abuja but when we came, we found out that the hospital structure was ready and we though it would 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 had invited the delegation from India to help set up an excellent hospital likened to that in their country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered at the occasion that the100-bed hospital might be expanded in due course when it becomes fully operational.
Earlier, the FOC had inspected a parade to mark the end of the second FOC bi-annual inspection of units under the Eastern Naval Command.
He noted that the Navy would continually focus on passenger boats plying the waterways in Cross River and Akwa Ibom to tackle piracy and other crimes.
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. (NAN)
