RAK // Akaaninuie Inyang travelled from his home in Nigeria to have surgery on a stomach hernia at RAK Hospital after the facility was recommended by his brother.
“This is different to what we have available in Nigeria. We are suffering over there with our healthcare system,” said Mr Inyang, 54, who will stay at the hospital for three weeks.
Although he had the option of staying part of the time in a nearby five-star hotel, he preferred the hospital, where he can have daily meetings with the medical team.
“I like the hospital,” he said. “I don’t want to stay in a hotel. If I need the doctors or nurses, I know they’re here. I’ve come here purely for health care.”
He has been on a course of medication to clear an infection before surgery can take place and is being monitored by the medical team, who will work to readjust his stomach, which moved out of position and is causing Mr Inyang a great deal of pain.
“In the morning I want to be able to explain when I have pain, to get the medication I need. I feel very well cared for here right now.
“I wish we could bring part of this hospital to Nigeria.
“Even though I came by myself, I feel I have so much support from the doctors and nurses here,” said Mr Inyang, a building materials trader.
“We often give patients a package so they can stay in a local hotel but often they just want to stay here,” said Dr Jean-Marc Gauer, the hospital’s chief executive.
Patients’ visas are processed quickly through the hospital, with Mr Inyang’s trip taking just one month to arrange.
More urgent cases can be flown directly to RAK airport, where doctors meet patients on arrival.
“I am very happy with my decision to come here,” Mr Inyang said.
mswan@thenational.ae