The Cross River State Government and a consortium of US-based hospital development experts, Omma Healthcare LLC and Rees Associates have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to do the feasibility, and build a world-class state of the art hospital in Calabar to boost medical tourism.

Speaking after signing the MoU in Calabar on Thursday, Governor Liyel Imoke described the occasion as an important day to commence the realisation of the state's vision of providing an affordable healthcare delivery service to its citizenry, adding that it also marked the commencement of a comprehensive health programme in Cross River.

Imoke remarked that the state intends to remodel its health facilities and services through many improved patterns as it has undertaken the renovation of existing health centres to enable it undertake free medical healthcare programmes for pregnant women and children under five years, stressing that it is the desire of government to provide first class health services to its citizens and beyond and expects full compliance to international standards.

The governor explained that the state took time to identify competent partners that share its vision based on its competence and capacity, stating that they intend to provide services which today are being provided outside Nigeria.

According to him, Nigerians will no longer have to travel outside the country for medical treatment when the hospital becomes operational.

He said construction work will commence immediately and will not stop until operation commences and it is expected that medical professionals recruited to use facilities at the hospital will be the best hands in the country and beyond.

Mrs Lynn Brown, president of Omma Healthcare, said she was delighted to bring together their highly experienced team of healthcare professionals to develop a modern, state of the art hospital in Calabar, adding that it will further strengthen the positive working relationship between Nigeria and the United States.

According to Brown, this will be major step forward in bringing high quality medical care to Cross Riverians and Nigerian families as a whole, explaining that the success of the venture will require the involvement of physicians, especially Nigerian diaspora physicians, healthcare personnel, medical insurance organisations in the diaspora, private businesses and community leaders.

Omma Healthcare, according to her, has developed diverse health facilities in Bangladesh, Egypt, Georgia, Kuwait and Iraq and will be supported in the Calabar project by the excellent design team of Rees Associates.

Mr Stephen Larson, vice president of Rees Associates, disclosed that the company has over 34 years experience in hospital architecture and in partnership with Omma Healthcare, Rees was able to plan, programme and design a highly efficient and functional US-standard hospital that simultaneously addresses the immediate healthcare needs of the working class people of Baghdad and Turkey while allowing for further growth.

Larson said the signing of the MoU began the success story of Cross River based on their expertise which has covered more than 30 countries.

Dr Edet Ikpi, commissioner for health, said the proposed hospital, valued at $6 million, which will be located close to the Calabar Energy City, will be constructed within a three year period, averring that it will set the trail for development within the South-South geopolitical zone for medical tourism.