Why CBN supported Reddington to set up Duchess Hospital -Emefiele

From Abubakar Yunusa 

Godwin Emefiele, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), says Duchess International Hospital, Ikeja, is an exemplary model of world-class health facilities in the country.

Duchess International Hospital belongs to Reddington Hospital Group.

Recently, the hospital successfully carried out leg surgery on Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

The apex bank governor said this at the press briefing in Lagos following the recent monetary policy committee (MPC) meeting.

Emefiele said the intervention of the federal government through the CBN in the health sector is to discourage medical tourism by Nigerians.

While responding to questions from the media, Emefiele used the Reddington Hospital and Duchess International Hospital as examples of where the apex bank has supported Nigerian healthcare institutions in building local capacity towards the reversal of medical tourism, which costs the country billions of dollars annually.

Emefiele thanked Osinbajo for choosing to have his surgery done locally in Nigeria, setting an exemplary example, and for the confidence he reposed in the country’s healthcare system.

Reacting to the CBN governor’s statement, Olutunde Lalude, group medical director of Reddington Hospital, explained that the group established the Duchess International Hospital Ikeja as a unique brand to promote access to affordable world-class healthcare for all Nigerians.

He said the hospital has strategic location of just 10 minutes drive from the Lagos airport and less than 90 minutes by air from Abuja and all state capitals in Nigeria.

In demonstrating affordability, Lalude emphasised that it costs N5,000 for a patient to register and see a doctor at the new Duchesbs International Hospital.

“This has been made possible due to the impact of the CBN intervention fund in establishing the hospital,” he said.