Health programmes bound to fail without “real commitment”, say experts

Health experts say government introduction of universal health care, health insurance, a national health agenda, a national health gazette and the National Health Act is bound to fail in curbing outbound medical tourism without “real commitment.” Speaking ahead of national conference to consider ending medical tourism, Medical director of Ace Medicare, Dr Wole Kukoyi, said […]

Health experts say government introduction of universal health care, health insurance, a national health agenda, a national health gazette and the National Health Act is bound to fail in curbing outbound medical tourism without “real commitment.”

Speaking ahead of national conference to consider ending medical tourism, Medical director of Ace Medicare, Dr Wole Kukoyi, said the initiatives are “part of a new focus in the ministry and government to stop medical tourism.”

“But together, they are bound to fail without real commitment and desire to ensure that we can treat anyone and everyone, anywhere and everywhere, at the point of need, right here in Nigeria,” Kukoyi added, ahead of the conference to hold in Ota, Ogun from July 20.

Kukoyi, also an organiser, said the conference will focus on how to identify and promote local capabilities and develop manpower locally, adding that “an improved health sector will, no doubt, reduce the huge cash flight which the current exodus for medical treatment and go a long way to boost the ailing economy. We all need to invest massively in the provision of quality, affordable and accessible healthcare services in Nigeria.”

The World Bank estimates Nigerians spend close to $1 billion on medical tourism each year.

Neurosurgeon, Dr Biodun Ogungbo, said Nigeria could have a system rivalling Thailand if it had built sustainable programmes in health.

He said while Thai government and private individuals stepped up to donate equipment, theatres and even built whole hospitals, Nigerian government officials paid lip service to reversing medical tourism and are on the first flight out when they are taken ill.

“The National Health Act and all policies are quickly forgotten. You see, for as long as each person feels his own life is more important than that of the collective, we cannot make progress,” said Ogungbo.

“Secondly, the ministers of Health and governors buy equipment for Nigerian hospitals and then keep them to rot in underground garages. Directors of health parastatals use money earmarked for health projects to travel to Dubai for shopping sprees and medical check-ups,” he said.