The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) says Africa loses about $10 billion yearly to medical tourism, with Nigeria accounting for $2 billion, urging investment in local healthcare to reverse the trend.
The National President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Prof. Bala Mohammed Audu, revealed that Africa loses nearly $10 billion annually to outbound medical tourism, while Nigeria alone loses $2 billion. Speaking at the NMA Healthcare and Medical Expo in Abuja themed “Reversing Medical Tourism: Africans Investing in Africa,” he noted that many Nigerian-trained doctors now work abroad, even though quality medical services exist locally.
Audu said lack of awareness, not absence of quality care, drives elites to seek treatment overseas, adding that private-sector investment and health financing are key to making Nigeria’s healthcare globally competitive.
Conference Chairman Dr. Tunji Olowolafe highlighted that Nigeria is already a medical destination for some Africans, citing hospitals such as AKTH, The Bridge Clinic, and Nizamiye Hospital.
Minister of State for Health, Dr. Adekunle Salako, lamented that medical tourism costs Nigeria over 30% of its annual budget and urged stronger investment in oncology, orthopedics, and cardiology care to curb capital flight.