Turkish 5-star hospital group Florence Nightingale Group has disclosed plans to invest in Nigeria, thus cashing in on the potential of the country’s healthcare sector.

According to BusinessDay, the expansion which will see the construction of a full-fledged Florence Nightingale centre within five to ten years for the provision of educational and healthcare facilities, will cost several millions of dollars.

Florence Nightingale Group President Cemsid Demiroglu, commented on the development: “Our strategic plan is to partner with Nigerians to bring the International Florence Nightingale Group brand to the region and everything it stands for in healthcare in Turkey and the rest of Europe, to Nigeria and the rest of Africa sub-Saharan marketplace.”

The group has also appointed a Nigerian Adedayo Osholowu as director of its Africa operations.

Defending the appointment, Demiroglu said: “He has experience training and working in the health sector in the health sector in Europe, South Africa and North America, and has also worked extensively across Africa with international organisations.”

The group plans to provide technical assistance for public and private hospitals  and accessibility to foreign treatment.

Florence Nightingale Hospitals was founded in 1989, under the body of Turkish Cardiology Foundation and named after the world reknowned Englishwoman nurse Ms. Florence Nightingale who is the pioneer of nursing and modern hospital concept.

Since 1960s, Florence Nightingale Nursing School graduates highly qualified nurses who serve patients not only in Turkey but in many other countries as well.

Today, with 3 general hospitals, a medical center, a teaching hospital and clinical research center; Group Florence Nightingale is one of the largest and most reputed hospitals in Europe and the Middle East.

Group Florence Nightingale at 2009 offered medical services in its 600 patient beds, 25 operating rooms, 83 intensive care and 32 emergency beds.