The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) said on Sunday that Nigeria was
losing some $800 million (about N125 billion) annually to medical
tourism.
The National President of the NMA, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, made the
announcement in Sokoto at a news conference at the end of the National
Executive Council meeting of the association.
According to Enabulele, no fewer than 5,000 Nigerians travel to India
annually for medical tourism.
He said: “That is why we are commending Governor Idris Wada of Kogi
State for heeding our advice when he had an accident and he stayed
back in Nigeria for treatment.
“Other public and political office holders should emulate him and have
confidence that there are adequate medical manpower and facilities in
Nigeria.
“There is therefore, the urgent need for investments in the nation’s
healthcare system.”
Enabulele urged President Goodluck Jonathan, governors and other top
public officials as well as political office holders to emulate the
Kogi State governor.
“If this is done, the high rate of capital plight used for medical
tourism would be curbed and Nigerians should only travel for treatment
when it becomes absolutely necessary,” he said.
Enabulele said that the association was fully committed to taking the
nation’s health sector to greater heights.
The medical practitioner said that 3,700 patients were attended to in
Tambuwal, Wamakko and Gwadabawa communities during the three-day free
medical outreach programme, which ended on August 28 in Sokoto State.
He said that no fewer than 98 free surgical operations were conducted
in three Local Government Areas of the state during the programme.
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