The Vice President of Nigeria has stated that medical tourism has cost Nigeria billions of dollars. Ironically the statement comes less than one week, after President Muhammad Buhari returned to the country from a 104 day medical vacation to the United Kingdom.
The VP spoke through the Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu at the two-day national health dialogue organised by the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism, PTCIJ, the Project for Advocacy in Child and Family Health, PACFaH, and the Project Pink Blue.
According to PT, the Emir of Kano and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Muhammadu Sanusi II; acting Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance scheme, Attahiru Ibrahim; the DG of the National Agency for the Control of Aids, NACA, Sani Aliyu; the executive director, Nigeria Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Faisal Shuaib, were among keynote speakers at the health dialogue.
In his speech, Mr. Osinbajo, represented by the director general, Voice of Nigeria, Osita Okechukwu, said medical tourism has cost Nigeria billions of dollars.
“We want to stop that trend because it is draining our reserves,” he said.
Thousands of Nigerians travel abroad each year to seek medical treatment as the nation’s health care system remains poorly funded.
Mr. Osinbajo said healthcare for Nigerians is important to the Buhari administration.
He explained that the president was interested in health issues, but said poverty was also a major issue to look at.
He urged the states to also join in so as to ensure universal health coverage in the country.
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