Nigeria loses $1.2bn to medical tourism every year – Experts

By Omodele Adigun

Anger is mounting across Nigeria over the staggering $1.2 billion lost annually to medical tourism, as citizens accuse public officials of abandoning the country’s collapsing health system for luxury treatment abroad.

The frustration intensified following the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari during a medical trip to London last week, a scenario many Nigerians see as symbolic of the government’s failure to fix the nation’s hospitals.

Health experts revealed the shocking figure during the fourth annual Public Health Grand-round at the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo. The keynote speaker, Dr Habibu Yahaya, the World Health Organisation’s coordinator in Ondo State, said fragile health systems and chronic underfunding have forced millions to seek medical care overseas, draining the economy and crippling the local sector.

The acting Vice-Chancellor of UNIMED, Professor Adolphus Loto, underscored the urgent need for resilience in Nigeria’s healthcare system. He stressed that building infrastructure capable of withstanding shocks is non-negotiable if the country must prevent future collapse.

Public outrage escalated as citizens and analysts questioned why public funds continue to bankroll medical trips for government officials. James Osewele, a public affairs commentator, called for a nationwide ban on overseas treatment for presidents, governors, legislators, and top civil servants. He argued that forcing leaders to use Nigerian hospitals would compel them to fix the system for everyone.

“This trend is killing Nigeria’s health sector. If they are barred from travelling for medical care, they will ensure our hospitals work because they’ll have no alternative,” Osewele said. “It’s shameful that foreign hospitals treat Nigerian leaders while our citizens die from preventable illnesses at home.”

Medical professionals also lamented the exodus of Nigerian doctors and nurses to foreign countries. Davies Olanrewaju, a Lagos-based doctor, said the poor pay and working conditions are pushing healthcare workers to seek greener pastures, leaving Nigerian hospitals severely understaffed.

“Most of the doctors treating our leaders abroad are Nigerians. Why can’t we create the same environment here so these professionals stay and serve their own people?” Olanrewaju asked.

A nurse, Victoria Omoruyi, recalled a time when foreigners travelled to Nigeria for medical care. “Now even malaria sends our leaders abroad. It’s tragic how far we’ve fallen. Until health funding meets global standards, this embarrassment will continue,” she warned.

The debate has also sparked renewed calls for legislation to ban foreign education for public officials’ children, with advocates insisting such measures will fix both the education and health systems.

As the country battles brain drain and crumbling infrastructure, experts say halting the $1.2 billion annual outflow is critical to saving lives and reviving Nigeria’s economy.