Nigeria Loses $2 Billion Annually to Medical Tourism, Says Health Minister
By Sunday Aikulola and Silver Nwokoro
Staggering Losses in Healthcare
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has revealed that Nigeria loses approximately $2 billion yearly to medical tourism, describing the figure as staggering. The minister made this statement during the grand opening of the Avon Medical Centre, a state-of-the-art 50-bed specialist hospital in Surulere, Lagos State.
New Medical Facility to Bridge Healthcare Gaps
The newly inaugurated hospital, a subsidiary of Heirs Holdings, features advanced medical infrastructure, including:
- A cutting-edge diagnostic center with CT scan capabilities
- A pediatric and intensive care unit
- An accident and emergency wing
- A fully equipped operating theatre
Represented by the Chief Medical Director of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Wasiu Adeyemo, Pate emphasized that the facility demonstrates Nigeria’s potential to reverse medical tourism by improving local healthcare quality and accessibility.
Building Health Sovereignty
“This is not just about stopping medical tourism,” Pate stated. “It is about building health sovereignty—the ability of a country to care for its own people, develop its institutions, talent, and innovation.”
The minister highlighted the federal government’s commitment to revitalizing the health sector through the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the 2024-2027 Health Sector Strategic Blueprint. These programs aim to reduce out-of-pocket expenses, improve access to essential health services, and foster public-private partnerships in healthcare delivery.
Lagos Governor Commends Private Sector Contribution
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, praised Avon Medical Centre’s evolution from a small clinic to a major healthcare provider over its 16-year journey. “Avon Medical has etched its name in the sands of time in this industry—not only in Lagos but in Nigeria as a whole,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu called for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors, noting that government alone cannot address all healthcare challenges. He also mentioned ongoing state projects, including:
- One of sub-Saharan Africa’s largest pediatric hospitals (Massey Children’s Hospital)
- The region’s most expansive mental health facility
Avon’s Vision for Healthcare
Awele Elumelu, Chairperson of Avon Healthcare Limited, shared the company’s mission, stating that the new center will provide critical maternal care and pediatric services. “Avon’s achievement is not the end, but only a springboard,” she emphasized.
Chief Executive Officer Akinbiyi Oke affirmed the facility’s commitment to delivering affordable, world-class healthcare services to Nigerians.
All credit goes to the original article. For more information, read the source at The Guardian.