The federal government has stated that the healthcare sector of the country is drawing in international patients, including individuals from India seeking medical treatments.
In an interview with a prominent TV station, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Health, asserted that the nation's healthcare system is no longer in a state of crisis.
He indicated that improvements in healthcare have led to a reversal of the trend where medical professionals were leaving the country, suggesting that many are now returning home.
The Minister highlighted Nigeria's emergence as a preferred destination for medical tourism, particularly for surgical procedures, which are comparatively more affordable than in other countries.
He also noted the growing number of aesthetic hospitals, nearly 900 in total across Nigeria, which contribute to attracting patients seeking services like plastic surgery.
“Today, we have almost 900 aesthetic hospitals around Nigeria. People are coming to get plastic surgery,’’ he said.
He highlighted that the government's dedication to prioritizing public health has resulted in favorable changes in the healthcare industry.
“We have a President now that believes a healthy nation is the core to harnessing our biggest asset, which is our human capital,” Alausa said.
He also mentioned that the government has allocated specific funds and initiated partnerships to improve primary healthcare services and broaden health insurance coverage.
“The President has mandated us to increase coverage from about seven million to about 50 million people to have health insurance in the next two to three years. This marks the highest budget allocation for the health sector in almost 24 years”, he said.