The Abia State Government has announced its readiness to commence the construction of a world-class medical city aimed at reversing Nigeria’s growing medical tourism and establishing Abia as a top healthcare destination in Africa.
The Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, disclosed this while leading journalists on a tour of the proposed site for the Abia Medical City located in Mbasaa, near Owerrinta in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.
According to the Commissioner, the project—which will span approximately 200 hectares and encompass seven communities within Isiala Ngwa South and North LGAs—will cost an estimated $1.3 billion. Funding will be provided by development partners, MKP International Holdings, while the state government will offer land, security, and institutional support.
“This medical city will be the first quaternary hospital in Nigeria, capable of handling the most complex medical conditions across all levels of care,” Professor Uche stated.
He described the medical city as one of the landmark initiatives of Governor Alex Otti, OFR, who successfully attracted MKP International Holdings—a globally recognized engineering procurement and construction consortium—to fund, develop, and operate the project on a build-operate-transfer model.
“The company is eager to begin construction ahead of the official groundbreaking. The landscape is already being prepared, signaling our commitment to reversing capital flight caused by medical tourism,” he said.
Nigeria is estimated to lose at least $1.6 billion annually to medical tourism—a figure experts believe to be conservative. To address this, and curb the growing trend of brain drain in the healthcare sector, Governor Otti envisioned the Abia Medical City as a cutting-edge, integrated healthcare ecosystem.
The facility will feature a 1,000-bed ultra-modern hospital capable of addressing all healthcare needs. Additional features include:
A state-of-the-art oncology center with capabilities for radiotherapy, radiosurgery, and emerging cancer therapies.
A modern surgical center equipped for laparoscopic, robotic, spinal, orthopedic, and cardiac surgeries, as well as cosmetic procedures and organ transplants.
A fertility center, an eye care institute, and a children’s hospital.
A medical step-down hotel and two five-star hotels to support medical tourism and patient recovery.
A digital health technology hub and diagnostic center.
The city will also house world-class research institutes affiliated with top universities and hospitals abroad. Professor Uche confirmed that several leading institutions in the United States have already expressed interest in forming partnerships.
“This project will not only provide advanced healthcare but will also serve as a training ground for top-tier medical professionals in affiliation with global institutions,” he added.
Strategically located, the site is approximately 35 minutes from Owerri Airport, 25 minutes from the under-construction Abia Airport, one hour from Port Harcourt, 30 minutes from Aba, and just under two hours from cities like Onitsha, Akwa Ibom, and Enugu. Flights from Lagos and Abuja will take roughly an hour.
Governor Otti is also constructing the access roads to the site, ensuring smooth connectivity for future patients, staff, and visitors.
The formal flag-off ceremony for the Abia Medical City, initially scheduled for May 23, 2025, has been rescheduled to early June 2025 and will be performed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
