From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The Medical Director, Alliance Hospital and Services, Dr Chris Otabor, has registered concerns with the growing interest of some class of Nigerians on foreign medical care despite the abilities, competences and expertise of doctors in Nigeria.
He defined medical tourism as when a person or group of persons crosses an international border for the purposes of medical treatment.
Dr Otabor, in a presentation made at the 7th Annual Conference of the Association of Nigeria Health Journalists (ANHEJ), organised by in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), at Akwanga, Nasarawa State, disclosed that by his estimate, $1.5 billion to $2 billion are spent by Nigerians on medical tourism, annually.
He disclosed that 5,000 people leave Nigeria each month for medical treatment abroad, and in most cases, they end up in India, USA, UK, Turkey, and even Ghana. “Unfortunately, most of them travel to get services that are readily available in Nigeria.
“They seek medical attention for cardiology – heart surgery, implants; Orthopaedics – joint replacement, limb reconstruction; Nephrology – kidney transplant; Urology – prostate surgery; Obs/Gynaecology – IVF, delivery; Oncology – cancer treatments; Neurosurgery – brain and spine surgery.
“Many of these people complain about lack of basic and advanced medical equipment, attitude of medical staff (cultural), incessant strikes, brain drain, free government funds, status symbol, among others.”
Dr Otabor, however, assured that private sector partnership is increasing its medical interventions in Nigeria, providing quality and affordable medical services that can be obtained in any part of the world.
He said: “The private healthcare sector in Nigeria is stepping into the spotlight, to champion efforts to reverse the tide of medical tourism.”
He solicited the support of the Federal Government through the Ministry of Health to the private sector so they can effectively address the identified healthcare gaps within Nigeria to mitigate the mass exodus for treatment abroad. “This effort, undoubtedly, will promote quality and affordable health care services to Nigerians irrespective of social and financial status.”
ANHEJ President, Joseph Kadiri, in his welcome remarks, said the conference with the theme “Health Security: Nigeria’s Efforts to Achieve Universal Health Coverage”, was a stock-taking opportunity for the association to assess and measure progress on critical areas in the country’s health sector.
“This was as a result of the discussion on the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, which further spurred health security, a major discussion across the globe.
“Many countries are already strategising on how to mobilise resources for this purpose, knowing fully well that achieving its objectives will enhance the attainment of universal health coverage, hence Nigeria cannot be left behind,” he said.