Nigeria Loses $1.1bn To Medical Tourism Yearly, Says Deputy Speaker Kalu

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has disclosed that Nigeria loses over $1.1 billion annually to outbound medical tourism.

Kalu disclosed this when he received the President/CEO of Montefiore Medicine and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Dr Phillip Ozuah, in Abuja, on Friday.

Kalu said Nigeria also faced the challenge of declining international health aid, adding that despite some gains, government action alone was insufficient.

He said Nigeria has made notable strides in the health sector with wild polio been eradicated, maternal and child health services expanded and tertiary health institutions reaching more Nigerians than before.

“Under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the government has committed to bold reforms and citizen-focused policies, with the 2024 national budget allocating over N1.33 trillion to the health sector, the largest in our history.

“Yet, budgets alone do not deliver outcomes; resilient systems do. These systems must be purposefully designed, adequately equipped, and consistently strengthened through clear policy, sustained investment, and innovative partnerships,” Kalu said.

He added that the 10th National Assembly has taken significant steps in making health coverage mandatory under the NHIA Act.

“The Basic Health Care Provision Fund has been expanded to support primary healthcare nationwide.

“Obsolete health laws have been modernised. Local pharmaceutical research is being promoted to boost domestic manufacturing.

“The Health Infrastructure Development and Regulation Bill has unified standards across the sector. The Medical Residency Training Fund (Amendment) Bill is advancing to stem brain drain.

“The National Assembly Clinic was commissioned as a model for public-sector healthcare delivery,” he added.