The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cassona Global Imaging Limited, John Chigbu, on Thursday raised concerns over medical tourism among Nigerians, attributing it to poor access to quality healthcare within the country.

He stated this at the launch of the company's medical imaging programme and diagnostic equipment in Nigeria, in partnership with the US Embassy in Abuja.

Chigbu emphasised that Nigeria must reverse the current trend of outbound medical tourism, urging stakeholders to work towards transforming the nation into a destination for healthcare excellence.

Chigbu said, "We need to reverse this trend. We need medical tourism to come into Nigeria, not the other way around. We need to make quality healthcare accessible to all, not just those who can afford it."

He explained that the company's mission is to make quality healthcare accessible to all Nigerians.

He highlighted that the company is committed to localising Nigeria's healthcare system by recruiting and training Nigerian professionals.

"We need to build capacity in Nigeria. We need to train our people to take care of our healthcare needs. That's why we're recruiting Nigerian engineers and healthcare professionals to work with us.

"With Cassona Global Imaging's innovative approach, Nigeria's healthcare sector is poised for a significant transformation, making quality healthcare more accessible and affordable for all," he added.

The Foreign Commercial Service Officer, U.S. Mission in Nigeria, Blake Murray, described the partnership as a powerful accelerator in Nigeria's healthcare modernisation efforts.

He noted that strategic partnerships between U.S. companies and Nigerian institutions can improve patient outcomes, reduce costs, expand access to healthcare, and advance disease prevention and control.

"The US Mission in Nigeria is committed to deepening bilateral trade relations between the two countries. Last year, two-way trade between the United States and Nigeria hit a record '3bn. Our shared goal is to promote two-way investment and deepen commercial ties between our nations.

"The U.S. Department of Commerce and Nigeria's Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment are set to launch the United States-Nigeria Commercial and Investment Partnership next month in Abuja, prioritising collaboration in agriculture, digital economy, and infrastructure, including healthcare infrastructure.

"This partnership is expected to unlock new opportunities for economic growth, job creation, and technological advancement in Nigeria. By working together, the US and Nigeria can address pressing healthcare challenges and improve the lives of millions of Nigerians."

He added that the investment by Cassona Global Imaging is a testament to the growing interest of US companies in Nigeria's healthcare sector, and demonstrates the potential for mutually beneficial partnerships that can drive progress and prosperity in both countries.