Aster DM Healthcare, one of the largest healthcare groups in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), has extended its medical outreach to Nigeria with free consultations, medical camps and capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening the country’s healthcare system.
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja yesterday, senior officials of the group said the programme, which began in Nigeria, had so far featured outpatient consultations (OPD), Continuous Medical Education (CME) sessions, and collaborations with Nigerian doctors and health institutions.
Senior manager for MVT, Aster DM Healthcare, Dr Saravanan Arimutu, said the initiative provides Nigerians access to world-class specialists without the cost of traveling abroad.
“This OPD consultation is completely free. Patients in Abuja, Lagos, and Kano were able to see our doctors in orthopedic surgery and neurosurgery without paying for visas or tickets,” he said.
The sessions, held in partnership with Habib Medical Clinic (HMC) and other local facilities, offered specialized care in knee and hip replacement, spine surgery and neurosurgery.
Many patients, Arimutu noted, presented disc problems, brain tumors and degenerative spine conditions requiring urgent attention.
Chief executive officer of SWIFT AIR Ambulance Services Ltd, Abdulazeez Yinka Oniyangi, described the initiative as part of a “reverse medical tourism” strategy designed to bring accredited international healthcare standards closer to Nigerians.
He said Nigerians spend an estimated $2.5 billion annually on medical tourism, with 60 percent of that going to India.
“COVID-19 taught us that Nigerians cannot always rely on traveling abroad for treatment. This model reduces capital outflow by bringing globally recognized, JCI-accredited healthcare services directly to the country,” Oniyangi said.
Consultant orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Khalid Bitar, said orthopedic and neurosurgical care were prioritised due to the high number of cases seen during the outreach.
“We came across many patients requiring knee and hip replacements, ACL surgeries, and treatment for spine issues. The response was overwhelming, showing a clear need for long-term collaboration,” he stated.
Specialist Neurosurgeon at Aster Hospital, Dr. Vinay Kumar Gurumath, noted that future programmes would extend to maternal and child health, pediatrics, and surgical partnerships with Nigerian hospitals.
He added that Nigerian doctors would benefit from skill-transfer opportunities through fellowships and joint surgical training.
On the challenges faced in Nigeria, the team identified foreign exchange fluctuations and medical brain drain as major obstacles but pledged continued collaboration with regulatory bodies such as the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to ensure compliance and sustainability.
With over 16 hospitals across 12 countries in the GCC—including 10 in Dubai—Aster DM Healthcare treats an estimated 17.4 million patients annually with a workforce of more than 14,000 professionals.
“This is just the beginning. We see Nigeria as a priority market with the highest healthcare demand in Africa, and we are committed to building long-term partnerships that strengthen local capacity and improve patient outcomes,” Dr.Gurumath added.
