Commissioning Of Duchess International Hospital In Ikeja, Lagos

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SPEECH DELIVERED BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, GCON, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AT THE COMMISSIONING OF DUCHESS INTERNATIONAL HOSPITAL IN IKEJA, LAGOS ON THE 22ND OF OCTOBER, 2021

PROTOCOLS

Today is one of those days that one is extra proud of being a Nigerian. It is one of those days when your belief is affirmed that this is a country of world-class talent, world-class ideas, and world-class execution of ideas.

So here we are at The Duchess International Hospital by both medical and aesthetic standards, comparable to the best hospitals in the world and its proprietors proudly and deservedly brag and I quote “that the mission of the hospital is to reverse medical tourism by delivering the highest standards of care, using the most advanced technology and treatments to give you the fastest, most convenient access to the best medical expertise available anywhere in the world.” And I concur and I’m sure we all concur.

There is good reason to do so; this hospital has serious bragging rights. It comes from the Reddington family, a clinical health brand that has earned a strong reputation for high standards in healthcare, top-notch international personnel including many highly reputed Nigerian doctors in diaspora, and best of all, it is all Nigerian.

The opening of this state-of-the-art facility also celebrates some other facts. First, that we have all it takes to become the place of choice for even medical tourists from developed countries looking to jump long queues for specialized procedures at home or simply shopping for more affordable fees for first-class healthcare.

Second, we have by far the largest number of middle-to-low-income communities and individuals in sub-Saharan Africa who require affordable, high-quality healthcare.

So, there is a sound business case here, in any event, this is the 15th facility of the Reddington Group, and the chairman, Mr. Yemi Onabowale is an Ijebu man, if this did not make business sense, he wouldn’t be here.

Third is that with investments like these, seeking high-quality medical personnel, we can even reverse the trend of doctors voting with their feet. The reasons for voting with their feet are obvious, better remuneration, better facilities. But again, only serious private sector investment in high-quality healthcare services offering top compensation for its personnel could possibly create an attractive proposition to reverse the trend. The only way we can ensure that people stay is to reward their services. I think this is a good way to start.

So here at Duchess, we celebrate the convergence of so many possibilities and such great promise. I am extremely proud to be a part of this phenomenal achievement and the great future that it portends not just for healthcare services in Nigeria, but also for the general business environment. If you can believe enough in the economy, to invest in 15 different places, then certainly you must be doing something right and there must be something right about the economy also.

By the way, just looking at the ambiance of the hotel, the well-appointed rooms all en-suite, and especially the cuisine, I saw what looked like a well-marinated lobster with some lemon butter sauce. This surely should be called the Duchess. I only hope you don’t get people checking in before realizing that this is a hospital and not a hotel!

It is therefore my great pleasure and privilege to officially commission the Duchess International Hospital to the glory of God and for the benefit of Nigerians and all those who may seek excellent healthcare from anywhere in the world.

God bless you, thank you very much.

Congratulations!