By Peace Udugba -The daily torch media
Governor Hope Uzodimma has unveiled an ambitious plan to establish a world-class Medical City in Imo State, signaling a major step toward transforming the state into a hub for quality and affordable healthcare in Nigeria. The initiative, he said, will rely heavily on global partnerships, particularly with diaspora professionals, to strengthen the state’s healthcare system and reduce reliance on medical tourism.
The governor made this known on Sunday, April 12, 2026, during the inauguration of the medical mission organized by the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA), held at the Banquet Hall of Government House in Owerri. He described the proposed Medical City as part of a long-term 25-year development agenda designed to attract international investment and position Imo as a destination for advanced medical services.
“We want to reverse the trend where our people travel abroad for treatment. Instead, we aim to make Imo a destination for medical solutions,” Uzodimma said.
Central to this vision is collaboration with ANPA, a body of Nigerian medical professionals in the diaspora. The governor expressed the readiness of his administration to partner with the association to train personnel of the Ministry of Health and other relevant agencies. According to him, such collaboration will facilitate the transfer of modern medical knowledge and skills, enabling local professionals to deliver improved healthcare services.
Uzodimma emphasized that while short-term medical missions are commendable, sustainable healthcare requires deeper, long-term partnerships. He stressed that training and capacity building are critical, noting that equipping healthcare workers and residents with emergency response skills could significantly reduce preventable deaths across the state.
The governor also highlighted ongoing reforms in the health sector, including the establishment of a Central Drug Distribution System aimed at eliminating counterfeit drugs and ensuring higher standards of care. He added that Imo State is creating a conducive environment for investment through infrastructure upgrades and supportive policies.
Calling on the visiting medical professionals to play a more enduring role, Uzodimma urged them to become “ambassadors of Imo,” expressing optimism that the partnership would yield mutual benefits and lasting impact.
In his remarks, President of ANPA, Dr. Cliff Eke, said the group’s outreach in Imo goes beyond temporary interventions. He explained that the programme is part of the Diaspora Health Initiative, which seeks to harness the expertise of Nigerian healthcare professionals abroad to strengthen the country’s medical system.
According to him, over 120 volunteer healthcare professionals—including surgeons, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, and specialists from the United States and the United Kingdom—participated in the mission. He noted that the initiative combines free medical and surgical services with knowledge exchange, skills transfer, and capacity building.
“ANPA Week 2026 is more than a medical mission. It focuses on building sustainable healthcare systems,” Eke said, adding that the ultimate goal is to make such missions unnecessary in the future by developing a self-sustaining healthcare structure.
He disclosed that the outreach, valued at over $500,000, includes complex surgeries, health screenings, and training programmes such as basic life support and newborn care.
The event also drew a wide array of dignitaries, including government officials, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and key stakeholders, underscoring broad support for the initiative and the state’s healthcare transformation agenda.
