Nigeria Faces $2 Billion Annual Loss Due to Medical Tourism – FG.
The Federal Government has revealed that Nigeria loses an estimated $2 billion every year to medical tourism, as citizens seek healthcare services abroad due to challenges in the local health sector.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, disclosed this while speaking at the commissioning of the Avon Medical Centre, a new 50-bed specialist hospital in Lagos.
He noted that the significant outflow of funds underscores the urgent need to strengthen the country’s healthcare infrastructure and services.
According to Professor Pate, the government is addressing this issue through the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the 2024–2027 Health Sector Strategic Blueprint.
These programs aim to improve healthcare delivery, expand health insurance coverage, and foster partnerships between public and private health providers.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has called for increased public-private partnerships (PPPs) as a strategy to reduce the dependence on foreign medical services.
The NMA believes that with adequate investment and collaboration, Nigeria’s healthcare system can be transformed to meet international standards, retaining both patients and medical professionals within the country.
The Federal Government assured that it remains committed to implementing reforms that will restore confidence in the local health sector and curb the massive financial losses to medical tourism.
