• Hausa Edition
  • Podcast
  • Conferences
  • LeVogue Magazine
  • Business News
  • Print Advert Rates
  • Online Advert Rates
  • Contact Us
Monday, August 25, 2025
Leadership Newspapers
Read in Hausa
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Leadership Newspapers
No Result
View All Result

Inadequate Infrastructure… Nigeria Fails To Stop N1.4trn Loss To Medical Tourism

by Mark Itsibor
1 year ago
in Cover Stories
Medical Tourism
Share on WhatsAppShare on FacebookShare on XTelegram

The federal government’s failure to implement the promised reform of the nation’s health sector has created a financing gap that affects all aspects of the healthcare system, including infrastructure, workforce, medical supplies, and services, leading to inadequate healthcare delivery across the country.

Advertisement

Both the immediate past and current administrations committed to affordable healthcare delivery to the public, a promise that has remained unfulfilled.

LEADERSHIP reports that the federal government had listed health sector reform as one of the “ongoing transactions” on the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) priority list for immediate intervention. Years after, nothing or very little has been done.

On the BPE website, the government said its objectives were to ease access to world-class services, “improve the value of health solutions, advanced technology, and reduce out-of-pocket expenses.”

Nigeria’s health system is a mix of public and private healthcare providers, but it remains significantly under-resourced and underdeveloped. Public healthcare facilities often suffer from inadequate infrastructure, insufficient medical supplies, and a shortage of healthcare professionals. Observers say those deficiencies have led to substandard care and long patient waiting times.

RELATED

Gov Fubara Urges Positive Image For Rivers

Rivers Residents Split Over Fubara’s Anticipated Return

10 minutes ago
Mixed Reactions As Sultan Says Justice Becoming Purchasable Commodity

Mixed Reactions As Sultan Says Justice Becoming Purchasable Commodity

12 minutes ago
ADVERTISEMENT

Rural areas are particularly disadvantaged, with limited access to healthcare services compared to urban centres. The private healthcare sector, while better equipped, is often too expensive for the average Nigerian, further exacerbating inequalities in healthcare access.

According to the BPE, the expected outcome was “to harness more than $1 billion (N1.4 trillion) lost annually to medical tourism, encouraging tens of thousands of Nigerians who travel abroad in search of the best treatment to have treatment in the country.”

Nigeria’s health sector faces a substantial financing gap, estimated to be in the billions of dollars annually. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that countries allocate at least 15 percent of their annual budgets to health, but Nigeria’s allocation consistently falls short of this target. In recent years, Nigeria has only allocated about 4-5 percent of its annual budget to health, leaving a significant shortfall in necessary funding.

ADVERTISEMENT

The state of Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure is dire, with many hospitals and clinics lacking basic amenities and modern medical equipment. In many public hospitals, essential services such as electricity and water supply are unreliable, hampering quality care delivery. Furthermore, the shortage of healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, and specialists, many of whom move abroad for greener pastures, compounds the problem, as existing staff are overworked and underpaid. This situation leads to a high rate of medical errors, preventable deaths, and a general lack of trust in the public healthcare system.

Nigeria’s health outcomes are among the poorest globally, with high maternal and infant mortality rates, low life expectancy, and a high burden of infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS. Non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, are also on the rise, adding to the healthcare system’s challenges.

“The underfunding of the health sector significantly impacts the country’s ability to address these health issues effectively, resulting in poor health indicators and outcomes,” said a medical doctor who asked not to be named because he’s employed by the federal government.

Due to the inadequacies of the local healthcare system, many Nigerians seek medical treatment abroad, leading to substantial expenditure on medical tourism. It is estimated that Nigerians spend approximately $1.2 billion annually on medical tourism, by Nigerians seeking better healthcare services in countries such as India, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

The trend highlights the lack of confidence in the Nigerian healthcare system and drains significant financial resources that could otherwise be invested in improving local healthcare infrastructure and services.

Medical practitioners say addressing the financing gap and improving the state of Nigeria’s health system require comprehensive reforms and significant investment.

“The government needs to increase its budgetary allocation to health, ensuring that funds are used efficiently and transparently. Additionally, public-private partnerships could play a crucial role in bridging the infrastructure gap and improving healthcare delivery.

“Strengthening the healthcare workforce through better training, remuneration, and working conditions is also essential. Ultimately, addressing these challenges will require a coordinated effort from all stakeholders, including government, private sector, and international partners, to ensure that all Nigerians have access to quality healthcare,” said an Abuja-based doctor, Idris Hameed.

 

 


Join Our WhatsApp Channel

Nigerians can now earn US Dollars monthly by acquiring domains cheaply and reselling for profits up to $18,000 (nearly ₦30Million). Beneficiaries include professionals, entrepreneurs, civil servants and more. Click here to start.


Tags: medical tourism
SendShare10190Tweet6369Share
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Obi Faults Plan To Buy New Presidential Jet Amid Hardship

Next Post

Murtala Muhammed Way Not Renamed After Soyinka – FG

Mark Itsibor

Mark Itsibor

Mark Itsibor is a journalist and communication specialist with 10 years of experience, He is currently Chief Correspondent at LEADERSHIP Media Group and writes on Finance, Economy, Politics, Crime, and Judiciary. He has a B.Sc in Political Science, Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism (Print), and B.A in Development Communication. His Twitter handle is @Itsibor_M

You May Like

Gov Fubara Urges Positive Image For Rivers
Cover Stories

Rivers Residents Split Over Fubara’s Anticipated Return

2025/08/25
Mixed Reactions As Sultan Says Justice Becoming Purchasable Commodity
Cover Stories

Mixed Reactions As Sultan Says Justice Becoming Purchasable Commodity

2025/08/25
MONEY MARKET: Assessing MPC’s Interest Rate Hike To Address Inflation
Cover Stories

DMO Projects Single-digit Inflation By 2027

2025/08/25
Buhari Presided Over Worst Civil Administration, Tinubu Not Far Behind – Obasanjo
Cover Stories

Buhari Presided Over Worst Civil Administration, Tinubu Not Far Behind – Obasanjo

2025/08/24
Flood-prone Residents Reluctant On Relocation Despite Warnings
Cover Stories

Flood-prone Residents Reluctant On Relocation Despite Warnings

2025/08/24
Unveiled: What Tinubu, Shettima, And Other Political Office Holders Earn As Salaries
Cover Stories

Unveiled: What Tinubu, Shettima, And Other Political Office Holders Earn As Salaries

2025/08/24
Leadership Conference advertisement

LATEST

Plateau Youth Urged To Demand Accountability

2027: Bauchi APC Supporters Endorse Senator Buba For Governorship

NLC Rejects Proposed Pay Rise For Political Office Holders

Nigeria, South Africa Should Forge Economic Partnership – Malema

Rivers Residents Split Over Fubara’s Anticipated Return

Mixed Reactions As Sultan Says Justice Becoming Purchasable Commodity

DMO Projects Single-digit Inflation By 2027

From Royal Roots To Public Service, Why Nuhu Bello Dabai Is Zuru’s Natural Heir

Gunmen Kill Couple, 5 Others In Imo Community

At Enugu NBA Confab, Sultan Harps On Integrity Of Judicial System

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.