Private sectors to reverse $1b annual loss to medical tourism

The Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN) says Nigeria is losing over $1bn annually on medical treatment abroad. President of AGPMPN, Dr Frank Odafen, made this known yesterday at an event organized to mark this year’s  Private Medical Practitioners Day with the theme," The roles of private medical practitioners in the […]

The Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN) says Nigeria is losing over $1bn annually on medical treatment abroad.

President of AGPMPN, Dr Frank Odafen, made this known yesterday at an event organized to mark this year’s  Private Medical Practitioners Day with the theme," The roles of private medical practitioners in the health economy of the nation.”

Odafen said spending such a huge amount of money for treatment outside the shores of the nation spelled doom for the health sector of the nation and the nation’s economy at large.

He reiterated the commitment of the association to reverse the medical tourism and made the country a hub of medical tourism for the sub-Saharan Africa.

"We do realize that over a billion naira is sapped every year by medical tourists to India, Germany, America, China and Dubai.  We are determined as a group to help reverse medical tourism which saps the nectar of our foreign reserve,” he said.

"We have the capacity to offer effective health care delivery system,” he added.

Odafen who disclosed that the association is responsible for the health care of over 70% of Nigerians said fund remained the major challenge of the association to spread its tentacles to a larger society.

He therefore sought partnership with the government to reduce child maternal mortality and establish a world center for health care delivery where Nigerians, both rich and poor can access effective and reliable health care services.

"We want to partner with the government to ensure that the indices that determine robust health in any country like child maternal mortality rate are brought to the lowest minimum.

“We also want government to partner with us to establish world center delivery where Nigerians, both rich and poor can access effective and reliable health care delivery,” he said.