Millennium Health Focus (MHF) has been a light of hope for Nigerians seeking medical diagnosis in the heart of London for over ten years, where the challenges of an unfamiliar terrain can be quite overwhelming. As the founder of MHF, I am fully aware of the difficulties that our fellow Nigerians, particularly international students encounter while seeking vital healthcare support overseas, and it is this very awareness that gave birth to the Bespoke Healthcare for International Students (BHIS).
After more than 10 years experience working as a doctor in the UK, I have come to learn that navigating the British healthcare system presents significant problems for Africans in the UK. Many Nigerians at home and abroad, particularly students, complain about the delayed and fragmented nature of healthcare services in the UK. The lack of rapid access to healthcare facilities frequently result in extended waiting periods for consultations and treatments, resulting in discontent and often in poor health outcomes too. Another widespread criticism is the cultural gap and communication hurdles faced in typical healthcare settings abroad. Nigerian international students often find that overseas healthcare discussions can be lost in translation for many reasons including language barrier, cultural differences, attitude to health and wellness and style of medical consultation, compounding feelings of loneliness and anxiety.
MHF created the BHIS service, fully appreciating the difficulties that Nigerian international students often face outside the country. For many, the loss of access to immediate private healthcare services poses a substantial challenge. The complicated network of new healthcare systems, coupled with the isolation experienced in a foreign land, accentuates the difficulties of obtaining personalised medical attention. BHIS addresses these issues by offering not only physical and mental health support but also pastoral care, ensuring students are able to maximise their parents or indeed their own significant investment in a first-class education.
In response to these issues, BHIS emerges as a specific solution, providing quick access to medical consultations, testing, treatments, and mental health care. These can be booked on our website or via telephone or with walk in appointments. Our personalised healthcare services (medical concierge) can be accessed by simply paying an annual subscription fee. As the founder of MHF, my mission has always been to bridge the healthcare gap for Nigerians abroad.
Our UK medical team is led by a Nigerian-British doctor, thus ensuring that each patient is acknowledged as an individual with unique requirements. The familiar language and cultural context of health behaviours do not go amiss.
That being said, MHF’s dedication to meeting Nigerians’ specific healthcare requirements extend beyond BHIS. Our clinic provides wellness packages that are best in class and cover;
1. Critical health assessments
2. Blood health
3. Fertility checks
4. Immunity screens
5. Organ function evaluations
6. Cancer screenings
7. Mental health assessments
8. Allergy testing
Regular health screenings are more than just a routine; they are a proactive approach to early problem detection and prevention. As a result, it is something I encourage everyone to embrace this year. With a focus on tailored healthcare, BHIS has continued to act as a north star for International Students (Nigerians) in the UK, providing constant support beyond the boundaries of traditional insurance. Our wellness packages empower you to take charge of your health by including lifestyle coaching, diet, nutrition advice, and psycho-sexual counseling in a pre-paid package that can be redeemed anytime in the UK throughout the year.
We realise that some Nigerians living in the UK, International students, and families visiting the UK may be unaware of MHF and our service offerings. This has resulted in unaddressed health concerns along with, in some cases, dependence on unsatisfactory solutions. However, at MHF, we recognise the significance of disseminating information regarding our services.
MHF has expanded its presence across multiple platforms to bridge the gap between our commitment and the public’s knowledge. When next you’re in the UK, stop by our central London clinic at 170 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London Victoria SW1V 1DX. You can also connect with us on Instagram and Facebook @mhfmedicalconceirge, or visit our website www.mhf.healthcare or email us at admin@mhf.healthcare for more information about our services and how we can help facilitate or manage your treatment in the UK.
I invite all those individuals seeking invaluable healthcare support in the UK to take advantage of the tailored and nurturing healthcare services provided by MHF. We are committed not just to meeting your physical health needs, but also in providing an extensive network of support that values intercultural awareness and interaction. So, as we embark on this journey together, let us reflect on the following question: Isn’t healthcare served in another country better when it feels like home?
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.
