Gov’t Under Fire As Medical Tourism Gulps $1.2 Billion Yearly — Citizens Cry For Reform

For many years, Nigerians have consistently expressed frustration over the growing trend of public officials seeking medical treatment abroad—even for minor illnesses like malaria—rather than utilizing and improving the nation’s healthcare system.

This practice is most rampant among politicians, top government officials, and affluent individuals, many of whom embark on these medical trips using public funds. The burden ultimately falls on the ordinary citizens, whose taxes fund these extravagant expenses, while they themselves struggle to access basic medical services in under-equipped local hospitals.

The anger of many Nigerians stems not only from the economic waste but also from the irony that these same public officials—who control national and state budgets—are in prime positions to reform the health sector, yet choose to enrich foreign economies instead. Consequently, Nigeria loses an estimated $1.2 billion annually to medical tourism, a staggering blow to an already struggling economy.

Adding to the irony is the fact that many of the healthcare professionals attending to Nigerian elites in these foreign hospitals are themselves Nigerians—skilled doctors, nurses, and specialists who fled the country for better working conditions and remuneration abroad. This brain drain further weakens the local health system.

The recent death of former President Muhammadu Buhari during a medical trip to London once again ignited public outrage. The federal government bore all associated expenses, from hospital bills to repatriation costs. This tragic incident mirrored the case of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who also died in a foreign hospital and was flown home for burial.

Medical experts and public health stakeholders echoed these concerns during the 4th Annual Public Health Grand Round at the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo. The theme, “Health Systems Strengthening: Building Resilience for the Future,” focused on Nigeria’s fragile healthcare infrastructure. Keynote speaker Isaac Oluyi, the university’s Public Relations Officer, quoted WHO Coordinator in Ondo State, Dr. Habibu Yahaya, who noted that the sector’s weaknesses—such as poor funding, repeated strikes, and lack of emergency preparedness—are responsible for the massive financial losses to medical tourism.

UNIMED’s acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adolphus Loto, stressed that health systems must be resilient, able to absorb shocks, and still deliver essential services. A panel of health experts advocated for policy reforms including task-shifting, improved staff remuneration, emergency preparedness, better referral systems, community engagement, equity in healthcare access, and data-driven workforce planning.

Prof. Ofonime Johnson, Dean of Public Health, described the Grand Round as a vital platform for addressing pressing public health issues and pushing for reforms.

Reacting to the $1.2 billion annual loss, James Osewele, a public affairs analyst, called for a total ban on foreign medical trips for public officials. He argued that such a move would force leaders to develop functional healthcare systems at home, which would benefit both the elite and the general populace.

Osewele said:

“That figure is a conservative estimate. When actual data is analyzed, the real loss could be twice as much. It’s disgraceful that in a nation as populous as Nigeria, the president treats foreign medical trips as part of official duties. We saw it with Yar’Adua, now Buhari, and even the current President Tinubu. This must stop.”

He also advocated banning public officials from sending their children abroad for education, arguing that only then would serious attention be paid to fixing the education sector.

Dr. Davies Olanrewaju, a Lagos-based medical doctor, agreed, saying the actual cost of medical tourism is likely much higher. He lamented poor working conditions, lack of incentives, and inadequate infrastructure as the main reasons Nigerian doctors seek opportunities abroad.

Similarly, Mrs. Omoruyi Victoria, a nurse, reflected on Nigeria’s past glory when foreign dignitaries once sought medical care in the country.

“We were told that members of Saudi Arabia’s royal family came here for treatment. Now, our own leaders go overseas for even common ailments. It’s heartbreaking.”

She emphasized that Nigeria’s annual health budget falls short of the UN’s minimum standard, and without deliberate funding, policy implementation, and commitment, the health system will continue to deteriorate. She concluded by saying that improving local healthcare would not only stop the exodus of medical professionals but would also potentially attract foreigners to Nigeria for treatment in the future.