THE country's teaching hospitals may soon become medical tourist centres to Africans in need of medical attention.

The Chairman University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital Board, Mrs. Jumoke Anifowose stated this in Ilorin, yesterday, during a one-day seminar on industrial harmony, and attended by stakeholders.

The theme for the event was: 'Promoting Industrial Harmony in a Multi-disciplinary Organisation'.

Buoyed by the level of state-of-the-art equipment at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Anifowose said the Federal Government should be commended for its policy towards improving the health sector via procurement of more instruments and training of hospital personnel.

She said:  Looking at Nigeria's health sector, one can't say that one is absolutely satisfied. But the government is doing what is possible within its limited resources. For example, the UITH has, at present, some equipment I never thought could be possible to have.

 Besides, I can mention many teaching hospitals in Nigeria, today, that have the capacity to handle complex medical operations. I was a beneficiary, so I know what I am saying.

 Again, I am now surprised at the space of time with which medical personnel attend to their patients. So, I believe that people all over the world, especially those in Africa should now be coming to Nigeria for medical tourism. 

The board chairman, while speaking on the brain drain syndrome that had in the past negatively affected the health sector, said:  Availability of medical equipment is making them to return into the country. 

Speaking at the event, the Chief Medical Director, (CMD) of UITH, Prof. Abdulwaheed Olatinwo, said that the need to make staff more committed could not be divorced from motive for the seminar.

He disclosed that leaders of all the existing units at UITH attended the seminar.

Olatinwo praised union leaders at the hospital for shunning local strike actions and participating at national strikes only when there were reasons for such.

The hospital boss said workers at the UITH remained members of a big family, adding that only a holistic attitude to work could lead to major breakthrough in the nation's health sector.

Speakers at the event included the National Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Isa Aremu, and the Director General of Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS) Ilorin, Dr. Niyi Olanrewaju.