Curbing medical tourism in Nigeria

Nigeria's health ministry recently revealed a staggering statistic - Nigerians are spending over $1 billion annually on medical treatment abroad. This revelation has sparked discussions on ways to curb spending on medical tourism, and Dr. Muiwa Onabanjo, a physician at Genesis Specialist Hospital, shed some light on the topic. Dr. Onabanjo highlighted a positive trend in recent years, with highly skilled medical practitioners returning to Nigeria from abroad to offer their services. These practitioners are now available in hospitals in Lagos and Abuja, providing world-class healthcare services locally. One of the major reasons why Nigerians seek medical treatment abroad, according to Dr. Onabanjo, has been the combination of poor service delivery and a lack of medical equipment in Nigerian hospitals. However, he emphasized that the situation is gradually improving, with both public and private hospitals making efforts to enhance their facilities and services. Dr. Onabanjo attributed some of the challenges in the healthcare sector to policy and structural issues, emphasizing the need for increased government investment in healthcare infrastructure. Regarding the quality of care and compassion in hospitals, Dr. Onabanjo addressed the importance of striking a balance between financial considerations and patient care. He stressed the need for comprehensive health insurance coverage for all Nigerians to ensure that individuals have access to affordable healthcare and hospitals have the necessary resources to provide quality services. The conversation also touched on the role of the private sector in Nigeria's healthcare system. Dr. Onabanjo highlighted the impact of economic factors on private sector investments in healthcare, noting that employers in developed countries often provide premium healthcare coverage for their staff, enabling private practitioners to invest in state-of-the-art medical equipment. In conclusion, Dr. Onabanjo emphasized the sacred and compassionate nature of the medical profession, calling on all practitioners to prioritize patient care and empathy in their practice. As Nigeria seeks to revolutionize its healthcare system and reduce reliance on medical tourism, collaboration between the government, private sector, and healthcare providers will be crucial in achieving this goal.