Akume hails Everight at 20, Okpara canvasses health bank

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has commended Everight Diagnostics and Laboratory Services for its 20 years of contribution to Nigeria’s healthcare sector.

He described the organisation as a model of private-sector-driven nation-building.

Akume gave the commendation in Abuja at the 20th anniversary celebration of Everight Diagnostics in Abuja.

He noted that his remarks would also be conveyed to President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He said the milestone went beyond longevity, stressing that sustained operations in the healthcare sector reflected vision, resilience and commitment to national development.

“Twenty years in the life of a nation and an organisation is significant, particularly when that organisation serves humanity by saving lives,” Akume said, adding that nation-building remains a shared responsibility between government and the private sector.

The SGF highlighted Everight Diagnostics’ role in strengthening Nigeria’s diagnostic capacity, recalling its contribution during the COVID-19 pandemic when it was among the first private laboratories approved by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for testing.

He noted that innovation, technology and skilled manpower would shape the future of healthcare delivery, urging institutions to invest in human capital and strong organisational systems, especially at a time when Nigeria faces growing global competition for healthcare professionals.

Akume also commended the launch of a book by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Everight Diagnostics, Dr. Everight Okpara, titled Managing Employee Retention and Turnover in Nigeria, describing it as timely amid the challenges of talent retention and brain drain.

He further praised the Everight Healthcare Foundation and its Diagnostics for All initiative, which he said aligns with the Federal Government’s agenda of inclusive development by providing free and subsidised diagnostic services to underserved communities.

Akume reaffirmed the commitment of the Tinubu administration to policies that promote local capacity, job creation and access to quality healthcare, urging private sector players to continue investing in institutions that deliver long-term national value.

While the SGF focused on the role of private institutions in strengthening healthcare delivery, Okpara used the occasion to call for the establishment of a Bank of Health to address financing challenges confronting the sector.

Akume acknowledged the proposal, disclosing that it would be formally communicated to President Tinubu for consideration as part of broader efforts to strengthen the health sector.

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Okpara said the absence of affordable, long-term funding has forced healthcare providers to outsource specialised diagnostic services abroad, worsening medical tourism and capital flight.

According to him, Nigeria loses billions of dollars annually through offshore medical care and diagnostics, disclosing that Everight Diagnostics alone spent over $1 million in the past year outsourcing advanced genetic tests that could be conducted locally with adequate infrastructure.

“If Nigeria can have a Bank of Industry and a Bank of Agriculture, then it can also have a Bank of Health,” Okpara said, adding that such an institution would provide single-digit interest financing for hospitals and diagnostic facilities, reduce dependence on foreign healthcare systems and help retain skilled professionals.

On human capacity development, Okpara said Everight Diagnostics, which began operations in 2005 from a three-bedroom apartment in Lagos, now operates branches in Lagos, Abuja and Imo State, employing about 650 staff.

He disclosed that over 18,000 young medical professionals, including laboratory scientists, radiographers and postgraduate researchers, have undergone training through the organisation over the years.