By Destiny Obinna
Duchess International Hospital, Ikeja, has recorded significant milestones in specialist healthcare delivery, including 44 open-heart surgeries since 2023, as the facility intensifies efforts to reverse medical tourism and expand access to advanced treatment in Nigeria.
The hospital, which recently marked its fifth anniversary, said more Nigerians, including those living in the diaspora, were returning home for complex surgical procedures, attracted by reduced treatment costs, shorter waiting periods and the opportunity to recover surrounded by family and friends.
Speaking at the anniversary celebration in Ikeja, Lagos, the Chief Operating Officer of the hospital, Dr. Olajide Ojo, said the achievements reflected five years of investment in specialist medicine, clinical expertise and patient-centred care.
Under the theme, “Five Years of Delivering World-Class Healthcare: Transforming Medicine Through Innovation and Excellence,” Ojo said the hospital had established itself as a destination for Nigerians seeking advanced medical treatment without travelling abroad.
He disclosed that Duchess Hospital attends to an estimated 40,000 outpatients annually, delivers about 500 babies and has performed 2,053 paediatric and adult surgical procedures, with approximately 65 per cent involving major and complex operations, including spinal surgeries.
The hospital has also performed 44 open-heart surgeries since launching its programme in 2023, comprising 20 paediatric and 24 adult procedures.
“These milestones tell a strategic story of a hospital committed to advancing boundaries of specialist medicine while never losing sight of the individual human being at the centre of every encounter,” Ojo said.
He added that the hospital’s first five years represented more than institutional growth, pointing to improvements in clinical capabilities, public confidence and access to specialist treatment.
“The first five years of Duchess Hospital represent not just the growth of an institution but the steady building of clinical capability, the strengthening of trust and the transformation of healthcare, one patient at a time,” he said.
Open-heart programme tackles waiting lists
Ojo highlighted the hospital’s collaboration with the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) through the Duchess Waiting List Initiative, which he said had helped improve access to cardiovascular surgery for patients facing prolonged waiting periods.
The programme forms part of the hospital’s efforts to expand access to complex procedures locally and reduce the need for patients to seek treatment outside the country.
Medical tourism has remained a concern for Nigeria’s healthcare sector, with patients travelling abroad for specialist procedures that can be costly and difficult to access domestically.
The hospital said treatment in Nigeria could reduce the financial burden on patients, with some complex procedures costing more than 50 per cent less than comparable treatment abroad.
Beyond financial savings, patients who receive care at home can benefit from the support of family members during treatment and recovery.
Chairman promises wider access to specialist care
Chairman of Duchess International Hospital, Dr. Yemi Onabowale, said the facility had touched lives through its healthcare programmes, affordability initiatives and corporate social responsibility activities.
He commended the hospital’s management and staff for their commitment to quality care, noting that the facility received the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award for Best Private Healthcare Facility in Nigeria in 2024 and 2025.
Onabowale said the hospital would continue investing in specialist services, technology and its workforce to make advanced medical treatment more accessible to Nigerians.
“Our future ambition is to continue to expand access to quality healthcare, strengthening specialist services, investing in our people and technology and ensuring that more Nigerians can receive advanced medical treatment at home,” he said.
He said the next phase of the hospital’s development would focus on stronger clinical capabilities, wider access to specialist treatment and deeper social impact.
Salako calls for better working conditions for doctors
Minister of State for Health, Dr. Adekunle Salako, called for improved working conditions and remuneration for medical professionals to address the continued migration of Nigerian healthcare workers abroad, popularly known as “japa.”
He said creating an enabling environment for medical practice at home, supported by modern hospital infrastructure and competitive remuneration, was essential to retaining skilled personnel.
Salako commended Duchess Hospital for its modern facilities and patient-care standards, describing them as important elements in strengthening confidence in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
His remarks highlighted the need for sustained investment in both medical infrastructure and the professionals required to operate it.
Sanwo-Olu’s wife highlights public-private partnership
Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, stressed the importance of collaboration between public and private healthcare providers in expanding capacity, encouraging innovation and improving service delivery.
She was represented at the event by the Medical Director of General Hospital, Ebute Metta, Dr. Folakemi Irewole-Ojo.
The anniversary celebration brought together healthcare professionals and other stakeholders to reflect on the role of private hospitals in delivering specialist services and supporting Nigeria’s wider healthcare objectives.
Cardiologist warns on heart disease risk factors
The anniversary lecture was delivered by Professor Nicholas Ossei-Gerning, a professor of cardiology at Spire Hospital in Cardiff, United Kingdom.
He discussed cardiovascular health and major risk factors, including high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, stress, depression, anxiety and inadequate social support.
Ossei-Gerning also highlighted erectile dysfunction as a potential marker of cardiovascular disease, urging men to seek medical assessment and undergo regular health checks.
He emphasised the importance of early detection and appropriate medical attention in reducing the risks associated with cardiovascular complications.
Hospital looks to next five years
As Duchess International Hospital enters its next phase of development, its management said it would prioritise expanding specialist services, strengthening clinical expertise, investing in technology and reaching more patients.
The hospital’s anniversary comes amid wider efforts to improve healthcare delivery in Nigeria, reduce dependence on overseas treatment and strengthen confidence in locally available specialist services.
For the facility, the next five years are expected to focus on increasing access to advanced treatment, improving patient outcomes and ensuring more Nigerians can receive complex medical care at home.
