A US-trained physician, Dr. Helen Mbakwe has pioneered Nigeria’s first outpatient infusion and arthritis management centre, a move aimed at combating arthritis, enhancing patient care and countering the growing trend of medical tourism.

The new facility is designed to deliver advanced non-surgical treatments for chronic pain and autoimmune diseases, particularly rheumatoid arthritis, which remains underdiagnosed across many parts of the country.

Speaking at the launch, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mandate Secretary for Health and Environment, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, commended Dr. Mbakwe for her commitment to transforming healthcare delivery in the nation’s capital.

She said: “There is no documented review on the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis in Abuja or Northern Nigeria. Helen’s initiative not only sets up a treatment centre but also initiates vital research, especially for conditions often misdiagnosed in women.”

In a major breakthrough, the facility also launched Nigeria’s first Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) service, designed to address antibiotic-resistant infections using precision multidosing technology.

The OPAT service allows patients to receive intravenous antibiotics outside of hospital settings, a strategy experts say will improve infection control and ease pressure on overcrowded health facilities.

Managing Director of Frontline Infusion & Arthritis Medical Facility Ltd, Dr. Helen Mbakwe, said the centre will offer infusion therapies, non-surgical treatments, and personalised care plans for patients battling arthritis and other chronic autoimmune conditions. “Infusion therapy, particularly biologics, offers targeted relief that slows disease progression and restores quality of life. This isn’t just innovation, it’s a necessity. By decentralising antibiotic therapy, we return dignity and convenience to patients while easing the burden on our overstretched health system.”

The centre also provides platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, viscosupplementation, nutritional counselling, and physiotherapy, positioning it as a potential regional hub for arthritis and infusion therapy in West Africa.

Also present at the unveiling, the Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Dr. Abubakar Kana, described the initiative as a beacon of hope in the face of Nigeria’s growing medical brain drain.

Kana said: “In an era of Japa stories, Helen gives us an anti-Japa narrative. She’s returned to invest in a system many are fleeing. This is a call to action for our medical diaspora. When compassion meets innovation, we build a future where pain no longer defines lives.”

The project also aligns with national efforts to curb medical tourism by providing world-class care locally and strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system from within.