The Federal Government is partnering with the state governments to ensure improved medical services to discourage Nigerians from embarking on unnecessary medical tourism abroad.
The Minister for Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, dropped the hint on Friday during a meeting with the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, at the Government House in Uyo.
Professor Adewole said that Nigeria had the required expertise in the health sector, but regretted that there was no trust by Nigerians.
He pointed that there was the need to build trust through improved facilities and services.
The Minister noted that Akwa Ibom State government recorded tremendous improvement in healthcare delivery between 2014 and 2015, as a result of deliberate policies of the state government.
He listed measures by the Federal Government to encourage State governments to invest in improved healthcare.
Governor Udom Emmanuel sought for an upward review of the Federal Allocation to the state, as the current allocation was grossly inadequate for any meaningful development in the health sector.
He said the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in Uyo was in dire need of Federal Government’s intervention.
The Governor also appealed to the Federal Government to establish a Federal Laboratory in the state.
The Minister’s visit was part of his tour of health facilities in Nigeria.
