(Ecofin Agency) - The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has officially its diversification into the health sector as it aims to remain a commercially viable entity. This was announced by the Corporation’s Group Managing Director, Maikanti Baru (photo), while inaugurating the Boards of the NNPC Medical Services Ltd (NMSL) and the NNPC Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO) Ltd.

“My vision is to make NNPC a renowned Health Medical Services (HMS) provider globally. In the nearby future, we are committed to making our medical facilities a reference point for the provision of world-class health medical services in Africa and beyond,” Baru said.

Subsequent to the recent restructuring of the State-owned company, its Group Medical Services was charged with creating new medical businesses that will generate revenue for NNPC. Presently, NMSL has 52 clinics and hospitals in Nigeria, providing services to NNPC’s staff and their family members. Under the new move however, these facilities are to be opened to other gas and oil organisations and others.

Let’s recall that recently, NNPC decided to commercialize some of its ICT infrastructures, also aiming to remain a commercially viable entity.