MEDICAL TOURISM: CRITICISM OF NIGERIA’S RELIANCE ON OVERSEAS TREATMENT FOR SEVERE PEDIATRIC CASES, PROMOTING CALLS FOR IMPROVED LOCAL HEALTHCARE INVESTMENT.
BY: Dorcas Kwaghbo Secretary (GIPLC)
Nigeria’s reliance on medical tourism for severe pediatric cases has sparked intense criticism with many calling for improved local healthcare investment. Nigeria faces criticism for sending children with serious health conditions abroad for treatment, highlighting weaknesses in its healthcare system. This has sparked calls to invest more in local hospitals and medical infrastructure to provide high-quality care within the country.
The country spends an estimated $1 billion annually on medical tourism, with 60% of that amount going towards four key specialties;
- ONCOLOGY
- ORTHOPEDICS
- NEPHROLOGY
- CADIOLOGY
This substantial outflow of capital highlight the need for Nigeria to develop its own healthcare infrastructure.
CHALLENGES CONTRIBUTING TO MEDICAL TOURISM;
Nigeria’s healthcare system faces a complex web of challenges that affect access, quality, and outcomes. Here’s a deeper look into the key issues:
Inadequate healthcare/Infrastructure Deficits;
Many hospitals and clinics, especially in rural areas, lack basic amenities like clean water, electricity, and functioning medical equipment.
Primary healthcare centers are often dilapidated and poorly maintained, making them unfit for even routine care.
Nigeria hospitals lack basic diagnostic machines and equipment, forcing patients to see care abroad.
Inadequate Funding;
Nigeria allocates less than 6% of its national budget to healthcare far below the 15% target set by the Abuja Declaration.
This underfunding leads to poor service delivery, limited drug availability, and reliance on out-of-pocket payments, which many citizens can’t afford.
Weak Insurance Coverage;
The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) covers only a small fraction of the population.
Most Nigerians remain uninsured, making healthcare inaccessible for low-income families.
The country’s healthcare system struggles to keep up with modern medical advancements.
Lack of trust in local healthcare;
Many Nigerian’s believe that foreign healthcare is superior, leading to a preference for treatment abroad.
CONSEQUENCES OF MEDICAL TOURISM;
- FINANCIAL BURDEN: Medical tourism can be costly, with patients facing expenses for travel, treatment, and potential complications.
- RISK OF COMPLICATIONS: Patients may experience complications after returning home, placing a burden on local healthcare systems.
- LIMITED LEGAL RECOURSE: Patients who experience malpractice abroad may face challenges seeking justice.
Nigeria is actively pursuing a range of reforms to strengthen its healthcare system and reduce dependence on medical tourism. Here’s a detailed look at the most promising solutions
SOLUTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT
Revitalizing Primary Healthcare
- The government is expanding and upgrading Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across all Local Government Areas.
- Focus includes equipping facilities for emergency obstetric and newborn care (CEmONC) to reduce maternal and infant mortality.
Reliable Power Supply for Hospitals
- The Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN) is pushing for inclusion of private hospitals in national power reforms.
- Hospitals spend up to ₦25 million monthly on energy, affecting care quality and costs.
- Solutions include solar, gas, wind, and mini-grid systems to ensure uninterrupted power for critical units like ICUs and operating theatres.
Health Financing Reform
- The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) is enforcing mandatory health insurance to reduce out-of-pocket expenses, which currently account for 70% of healthcare spending.
- A new compact aligns federal and state funding priorities, especially for maternal and child health.
Human Resource Development
- Plans are underway to train and retain healthcare workers through scholarships, digital learning, and public-private partnerships.
- Addressing brain drain by improving working conditions and career growth opportunities.
Modernizing Equipment and Supply Chains
- The government aims to fix fragmented supply chains that cause frequent stock-outs of essential medicines and family planning commodities.
- Investment in digital procurement systems and infrastructure upgrades is part of the Health Sector Strategic Blueprint 2024–2027.
Reducing Donor Dependency
- Nigeria is charting a path toward health self-reliance, moving away from heavy reliance on foreign aid.
- The strategy includes better coordination of donor funds and transparent budgeting to avoid duplication and waste.
These reforms are ambitious but necessary. If sustained, they could transform Nigeria’s healthcare landscape and drastically reduce the need for medical tourism.
Therefore, by addressing these challenges and investing in local healthcare, Nigeria can reduce its reliance on medical tourism and provide better care for its citizens. Also, by investing in local healthcare, Nigeria can provide quality medical care for its citizens, reducing reliance on medical tourism and improving health outcomes.