The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has proposed the adoption of public-private partnerships in the health sector to increase sustainability and efficiency in order to reverse medical tourism in favor of the country.
This was proposed at a medical expo held by the association yesterday to find ways to strengthen Nigeria’s private healthcare sector into a major player in the global healthcare industry, thereby reversing medical tourism in Nigeria’s favor. It is something.
In his welcome address, NMA Chairman Professor Bala Odu explained that the situation is expected to worsen unless the country intervenes. He noted that while the global market for medical tourism is expected to reach $180 billion by 2030, Nigeria is contributing as a patient exporter with an annual outflow of more than $2 billion to medical tourism. .
According to Audu, the conversation is aimed at developing national policies backed by fiscal policies to unlock the potential of public-private partnerships that strategically align Nigeria with the most competitive destinations for medical tourism. It is said that it is something that In addition to reinforcing international best practices.
Speaking about the current challenges facing the association, Mr Audu cited burnout due to excessive workload. He explained that the few remaining health workers in the country are doing their best to ensure they provide the same quality of care as is provided abroad, and as a result are overworked. .
The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, was present at the expo and explained that it is important for government to play its role in ensuring that the health sector is protected for private investment.
NMA First Vice-President, Dr. Benjamin Olowojebutu, in an interview enumerated the importance of reversing medical tourism in the country, stating that the association is taking the lead in giving people the opportunity to know the country’s medical indicators. He said it must be done. , medical professionals, and medical services are available.
Olowojebutu, who is also the chairman of the Expo’s local organizing committee, asserted that partnerships with private equity and private institutions will greatly contribute to solving the problem.
“Our hospital performs 16 kidney transplants every month. We have a hospital that can perform cardiovascular surgeries within hours. Hospitals from Niger and Mali come to see what we do,” he said. added.
