Nigeria Becoming Hub For Medical Tourism, Shettima Claims

ABUJA – Amidst high rate of med­ical professionals leav­ing Nigeria for greener pastures abroad, Vice President Kashim Shettima, has laid claims that the country is witnessing a surge in reverse medical tourism.

He alleged that some patients from the United States and other countries are now thronging the nation’s hospitals to seek afford­able and high-quality kidney transplants.

The Vice President attribut­ed the choice of Nigeria for treatment to affordability and high-quality expertise within the country’s medical commu­nity.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Nigerian Associa­tion of Nephrology (NAN) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, ahead of the association’s 37th Scientific Conference, Shettima stressed the need for further investments in specialised medical education to sustain the progress.

He said: “There is reverse medical tourism these days, fun­damentally because of the level of care at some of our hospitals. Re­cently, 13 patients from the United States came to Nigeria for kidney transplants at Zenith Medical and Kidney Centre because it is much cheaper here, and they receive the same level of expertise available anywhere in the world.”

The Vice President lauded the Chief Medical Director of Zenith Medical and Kidney Centre, Dr Olalekan Olatise, for his contribu­tions to kidney care, describing him as “a very decent man, who is highly altruistic” in his efforts to assist humanity.

Shettima, however, noted the financial strain on patients, many of whom sell their homes or rely on government support to afford transplants.

“While getting a kidney trans­plant is a significant challenge, life after a transplant presents even more difficulties. Many pa­tients struggle with the cost of post-transplant care, including immunosuppressants, which are essential to maintaining their health,” he said.

The number two citizen, re­called healthcare initiatives he had embarked on during his ten­ure as Governor of Borno State, as well as the success of ongoing free maternal care programmes he introduced,” Shettima said.