Medical Tourism Crisis: How Nigeria’s Health System Suffers as Patients Go Abroad

In the heart of Africa’s most populous nation, a silent exodus unfolds daily, not of people fleeing conflict or poverty, but of patients boarding planes in search of cures that elude them at home. Medical tourism, the practice of travelling abroad for healthcare, has become a stark symbol of Nigeria’s ailing health system. 

While this trend provides immediate relief to those who can afford it, it significantly hinders the country’s development by depleting vital resources and perpetuating a cycle of neglect in local infrastructure. As Nigeria grapples with this phenomenon, the demerits to its health sector are profound, manifesting in economic losses, eroded trust, and stunted growth. However, with targeted government intervention, there lies a blueprint to reclaim sovereignty over the nation’s well-being.

The roots of medical tourism in Nigeria trace back to decades of underinvestment and systemic failures. Citizens, from ordinary workers to high-profile elites, flock to destinations like India, the United Kingdom, and the United States, seeking treatments for everything from routine check-ups to complex surgeries. Inadequate facilities, outdated equipment, and a shortage of specialised personnel at home drive this migration. But what begins as a personal choice spirals into a national crisis, undermining the very foundation of Nigeria’s health sector.

One of the most glaring demerits is the perpetuation of brain drain and understaffing. As skilled doctors and nurses witness their compatriots and even leaders opting for foreign care, many choose to emigrate, seeking better opportunities abroad. This exodus leaves hospitals grossly understaffed, with ratios far below global standards, further deterring investment and innovation in local healthcare. 

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Moreover, medical tourism fosters a dependency on foreign systems, reducing the incentive for domestic reforms and turning healthcare into a commodity accessible only to the privileged. It exacerbates inequality, as out-of-pocket expenses abroad impoverish families, while the public sector languishes with low morale and outdated practices. In essence, it transforms Nigeria’s health landscape into one of neocolonial reliance, where local confidence erodes and development stalls.

The economic haemorrhage is staggering. Nigeria loses between $1 billion and $2 billion annually to medical tourism, a figure that represents a massive outflow of foreign exchange and missed opportunities for reinvestment. According to recent estimates, this includes $1.1 billion cited by Afreximbank in 2025, with Africa as a whole forfeiting $7 billion yearly. 

The World Health Organisation warned in July 2025 that Nigeria’s losses hover around $1.2 billion, predominantly to countries like India, which captures over half of this expenditure. Between 2016 and 2022, the cumulative drain exceeded $7 billion, with 60% of annual spending focused on four key specialities: oncology, orthopaedics, nephrology, and cardiology. These funds, if retained, could modernise hospitals, train thousands of professionals, and expand access. Still, instead, they bolster foreign economies while Nigeria’s health budget remains a paltry 5% of the national allocation, far short of the 15% pledged in the 2001 Abuja Declaration.

Instances of this trend are rife among Nigeria’s elite, highlighting the hypocrisy at the highest levels. Former President Muhammadu Buhari, despite promising to end medical tourism during his 2015 campaign, made multiple trips to the UK for ear infections and other ailments between 2015 and 2023, symbolising the entrenched culture. His predecessor, Umaru Yar’Adua, sought treatment in Saudi Arabia and Germany before he died in 2010. 

More recently, President Bola Tinubu has faced scrutiny for similar overseas medical visits, prompting public outcry over the government’s failure to lead by example. Governors and lawmakers follow suit; for instance, a former Nigerian senator was convicted in the UK in 2023 for organ trafficking linked to his daughter’s kidney transplant, underscoring the risks and ethical pitfalls of such travels. These cases not only drain public funds but also erode public trust, as citizens die from treatable conditions amid crumbling local facilities.

To halt this vicious cycle, the Nigerian government must act decisively with a multi-pronged strategy. First, ramp up budgetary allocation to at least 15% of the national budget, channelling funds into infrastructure upgrades, such as equipping hospitals with modern technology and building specialised centres like the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) in Abuja. Public-private partnerships should be incentivised to attract investments, as seen in Lagos State’s MediPark project. 

Second, implement universal health coverage through expanded social insurance, protecting people with low incomes and reducing out-of-pocket burdens that fuel tourism. Third, enforce a phased ban on foreign medical trips for public officials, tying it to milestones in local capacity building, to set a tone of accountability. Most importantly, invest in workforce retention by improving salaries, training programmes, and conditions to stem brain drain. Innovative solutions like telehealth platforms connecting local patients with global expertise could bridge gaps without physical travel. Ultimately, political will is paramount; leaders must prioritise health as a national security issue, fostering trust and self-reliance.

As Nigeria stands at this crossroads, the choice is clear: continue bleeding resources abroad or invest in a future where healing happens at home. The path to ending medical tourism isn’t just about saving dollars; it’s about saving lives and building a healthier nation for generations to come.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) And Answers

What is medical tourism in the context of Nigeria?

Medical tourism refers to Nigerians travelling abroad for healthcare services unavailable or substandard at home, often to countries like India or the UK, due to poor infrastructure and lack of trust in local systems.

How much does Nigeria lose annually to medical tourism?

Estimates vary, but Nigeria loses between $1 billion and $2 billion yearly, with recent figures from Afreximbank and WHO pinpointing $1.1 billion to $1.2 billion, much of it on specialities like oncology and cardiology.

What are the main demerits of medical tourism to Nigeria’s health sector?

It causes brain drain of skilled workers, economic losses that could fund local improvements, increased inequality, dependency on foreign care, and underinvestment in domestic infrastructure.

Can you give examples of Nigerian officials engaging in medical tourism?

Former President Muhammadu Buhari frequently sought treatment in the UK, despite pledges to end the practice. President Bola Tinubu has also faced criticism for overseas medical trips, alongside various governors and lawmakers.

What solutions can the Nigerian government implement to reduce medical tourism?

Increase health funding to 15% of the budget, enforce bans on officials’ foreign trips, promote universal health coverage, invest in training and infrastructure via public-private partnerships, and adopt telehealth innovations.