Medical tourism costs Nigeria over $1bilion yearly – Minister

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Medical tourism costs Nigeria over $1bilion yearly – Minister

 

Minister of State for Health, Osagie Ehanire, has lamented the spate of medical tourism abroad by Nigerians.

Ehanire said Nigeria is currently losing more than $1 billion dollar yearly to medical service sourced abroad by Nigerians.

According to him, the increase in medical tourism is a declaration of no confidence in the nation’s health system.

The minister said this on Thursday in Benin during the University of Benin Teaching Hospital’s 46th founders’ day and launching of an endowment fund for the hospital.

He said: “About a year ago, it was estimated that Nigeria loses about $1billion every year to medical service sourced abroad. The figure is probably higher now.

“The medical tourism is a declaration of no confidence in our health system, which we must endeavour to address.”

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