Nigerians spent $2.38m on foreign healthcare services from January to June 2024, highlighting the ongoing issue of medical tourism despite local investments.
Nigerians spent approximately $2.38 million on foreign healthcare services from January to June 2024, according to data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The report, which outlines sectoral foreign exchange usage, reveals that spending on healthcare-related services saw a significant rise compared to the second half of 2023, which recorded $0.69 million in total.
A closer look at the CBN’s data shows that $2.3 million was spent on foreign healthcare services in January alone. In February, no expenditure was recorded, followed by minimal spending in March ($0.01 million), April ($0.00 million), May ($0.05 million), and June ($0.02 million).
The total amount spent in the first six months of 2024 marks a $1.69 million increase compared to the second half of 2023, though it represents a decline of $0.75 million when compared to the $3.13 million spent during the same period in 2023.
This expenditure raises concerns about the persistence of medical tourism among Nigerians, despite efforts by the government to reverse this trend.
Government’s response to medical tourism
President Bola Tinubu, upon launching the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) healthcare expansion programme, emphasised the need to curb outbound medical tourism.
The programme aims to retrain 120,000 frontline health workers and improve healthcare facilities across the country.
The president stated that strengthening the domestic healthcare system would help reduce the reliance on foreign medical services.
Despite these efforts, the increasing costs reported by the CBN indicate that many Nigerians, particularly the elites, continue to seek medical care abroad.
Expert insight into rising medical tourism
Professor Tanimola Akande, a public health expert from the University of Ilorin and former National Chairman of the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria, expressed concern over the rising healthcare expenditure on foreign services.
He explained that the situation is reflective of the ongoing preference for medical tourism among Nigeria’s wealthy elites.
“Medical tourism is often perpetuated by elites,” Akande noted, adding that investments in high-class private healthcare facilities in Nigeria have not substantially reduced the outflow of funds for foreign medical services.
He further highlighted that the large sums spent on medical tourism could be better utilised to improve local healthcare infrastructure.
“If this money was channelled into developing local health facilities, it would significantly reduce the need for Nigerians to seek healthcare abroad,” Akande explained.
Addressing the challenges in Nigeria’s healthcare sector
Akande stressed that the Nigerian government must continue to encourage investments in the healthcare sector while also tackling the issue of brain drain, which has seen many skilled medical professionals leaving the country for better opportunities abroad.
“The government needs to provide a conducive environment for high-quality healthcare to thrive in Nigeria,” he urged.
By improving healthcare infrastructure and reducing the exodus of health professionals, Nigeria could offer more reliable services and ultimately reduce the reliance on foreign medical care.
In conclusion, the rising cost of medical tourism underscores the need for further reforms in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Addressing these challenges will require concerted efforts from both the government and private sector to ensure the country can retain its skilled workforce and provide world-class healthcare services at home.
Business3 years ago
