The Digest:
The Federal Government has come under heavy criticism as foreign exchange outflow for medical travel by Nigerians surged to $549.29 million in the first nine months of 2025, a 17.96% increase from $465.67 million in the same period of 2024. CBN data shows sustained growth: $151.53m (Q1), $189.41m (Q2), and $208.35m (Q3). Health experts blame worsening local health facilities, corruption, strikes, and equipment gaps for driving Nigerians abroad for critical treatments. Former PSN President Olumide Akintayo said: "The health system has only gotten worse," citing the 84-day health workers' strike and corruption in MDAs. NMA President Prof Bala Audu noted most travel is for chronic diseases like advanced cancers, stressing that while Nigerian doctors are globally competitive, equipment and reagent gaps constrain local treatment. Despite repeated pledges by Health Minister Muhammad Pate to reverse medical tourism, the figures indicate limited progress. Former NMA President Mike Ogirima warned the outflow drains foreign reserves and undermines economic stability.
Key Points:
- Rising medical tourism drains foreign reserves and worsens the naira's position.
- It reflects systemic failure in healthcare infrastructure and funding.
- Wealthy Nigerians spend abroad, while local facilities remain under-resourced.
- This signals urgent need for increased health sector investment and reform.
- The timing, with 84-day strike, highlights compounding crises.
Sources: The Punch, CBN, NMA, PSN
