Government to partner South African firm to establish world class hospital

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Monday said the State would partner South African firm to develop world class hospital to boost medical tourism in the state.

Okowa stated this when he received the management team of Group 5 Construction Company, a South African firm led by Mr Themba Mosai in Asaba.

The governor said preliminary meetings were on to explore the possibility of building the hospital to make the state medical tourism centre.

He said desire to make the state a destination for health services was laudable, adding that a lot of money leaves Nigeria daily based on health care related issues.

The governor said it was innovative for the company to source for resources for the development of the project.

He assured that government would find a reasonable ground to partner with them to ensure that the project was realised.

"If we have a hospital of international standard that will meet the medical need of those travelling abroad for treatment, it will be an investment that will yield results and profits for the state.

"Investing in Delta state is like investing in Nigeria because we are one of the biggest oil and gas producing states in the country.

"I believe that the partnership will be beneficial to both sides and we hope to have a fruitful deliberation with your company", Okowa said.

Earlier, Mosai said that they were in the state to discuss with the government on partnership to develop a world class hospital in the state to make it a medical tourism destination.