How Nigeria loses $1.3bn yearly to medical tourism

Nigerians have continued to express outrage over the growing trend of public officials seeking medical care abroad, describing it as a major drain on the nation’s resources and a reflection of the neglect of the country’s health sector.

For years, citizens have lamented that politicians, top government officials and wealthy individuals routinely travel overseas for treatment of ailments that could be handled locally, often using public funds. Many argue that this practice persists because those in power have failed to invest adequately in Nigeria’s healthcare system.

The anger is further fuelled by the belief that these same officials, who control government resources and policy decisions, are in the best position to fix the sector but have shown little commitment to doing so.

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Health experts have also raised concerns, revealing that Nigeria loses an estimated $1.3 billion annually to medical tourism. The figure, they say, is driven by weak health infrastructure, poor funding, frequent strikes, and the mass migration of skilled medical professionals seeking better opportunities abroad.

At a recent public health gathering at the University of Medical Sciences in Ondo, stakeholders highlighted systemic challenges affecting the sector, including workforce shortages, inadequate financing, and lack of resilience in handling health emergencies such as epidemics and pandemics.

They called for urgent reforms, including improved remuneration for health workers, sustainable funding, better emergency preparedness, and stronger referral systems to enhance service delivery.

Public affairs analysts have described the situation as shameful, arguing that banning public officials from seeking medical care abroad could force meaningful improvements in the system. They noted that many of the professionals attending to Nigerian patients overseas are Nigerians who left due to poor working conditions at home.

Medical practitioners within the country echoed similar concerns, pointing to low pay, poor work environments, and limited facilities as key factors pushing doctors and nurses out of Nigeria.

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There are also growing concerns over the country’s low health budget, which experts say falls below global standards, further weakening the system.

Many Nigerians believe that unless decisive action is taken to prioritise healthcare development, reduce capital flight, and retain skilled professionals, the country will continue to lose billions while its healthcare system remains in a fragile state.