Minister of State for Health, Olorunnimbe Mamora, says Nigeria used to benefit from the proceeds of medical tourism.
The minister, who stated this in Abuja on Monday, said citizens of other nations used to travel to Nigeria for treatment in the past.
“In the 50s and 60s, Nigeria benefitted from medical tourism even as the royal family from Saudi Arabia used to come to the University Teaching Hospital, Ibadan for treatment.
Some people travel abroad for treatment to get equipment or facilities that are not in the country. We need to ensure that we have facilities on the ground that will make our citizens stay back home for treatment. This includes; physical infrastructure, personnel, and equipment,” he said.
He stressed the need for medical facilities in the country, saying that medical tourism will reduce if medical facilities are available in the country.
“Our duty as a country is to put in place proper medicare facilities to take care of the health of citizens.
Once these things are provided, medical tourism will be reduced and it will make our hospitals attractive.”
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