Nigerians spend an estimated $1 billion yearly on medical care abroad for conditions that can be effectively treated within their country, the Chief Consultant Orthopeadics Surgeon and Chief Medical Director of Alliance Hospital, Abuja, Dr. Christopher Otabor, has said.
Otabor spoke after he was conferred with an ‘African Medical Practice and Leadership Excellence Award’ for his outstanding investment in Nigeria’s healthcare system by Africanstride International magazine, in Abuja at the weekend.
He said there was the need for increased investment in healthcare infrastructure in the country if the nation was interested in retaining its medical professionals.
The medical expert, while thanking the organisers for the honour, disclosed that the award was the 15th he has so far received this year alone.
Speaking on how to achieve zero-medical tourism, Otabor, who said it was impossible for the country to achieve that feat, explained that medical tourism can only be reduced through emplacement of conducive environment by authorities. According to him, “It is not possible to achieve zero health tourism but we can reduce it drastically , because there are so many reasons why people travel abroad for healthcare.
“Factors encouraging medical tourism are in two folds:The push and the pull factors. The push factors include healthcare infrastructure, equipment, power ,road, effective internet services, among others,” he said.
Otabor said Alliance Hospital was committed to giving Nigerians a comprehensive care obtainable in developed world but called for support for private hospitals in the country through emplacement of a conductive operating environment by the government.
Noting that retaining patients within Nigeria was very important for the country, he tasked authorities to change negative attitude private hospitals so the can thrive.
“The Government needs to cooperate with private hospitals. Private hospitals treat 70% of patients in Nigeria, yet the government often competes with us rather than supporting us. This needs to change.
“In India, where 98% of Nigerians seek treatment, patients go to private hospitals because their government supports them with funding, loans, and tax holidays. We need similar support here”, he said.
Speaking further, he appealed to wealthy Nigerians to explore ways of establishing not only foundations but also investing in the healthcare sector. “Investing in healthcare saves lives, and it could be your life,” he advised.
He decried multiple hurdles being faced by private healthcare operators in the country, calling on the Government to look into the development as according to him,“We cannot transfer all the costs to patients; they simply won’t be able to afford it”.
He also called on the Government to support the medical experts who have chosen to remain in the country despite the daunting challenges faced by them in the course of their professional practices.
“We are making great sacrifices, and the government must acknowledge that”, he stated.
