Nigeria’s heavy spending on medical tourism estimated at $1.3 billion annually is being seen by health experts as a sign of eroding public trust in the country’s healthcare system.
Stakeholders say the trend reflects a deeper crisis beyond funding gaps or infrastructure deficits, with serious implications for service delivery and workforce morale.
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Speaking in Abuja, Executive Vice Chairman of Bridge Clinic Fertility Centre, Dr. Richard Ajayi, said the move abroad shows that many Nigerians no longer trust local hospitals to provide adequate care. He added that the situation worsens when government officials seek treatment overseas, reinforcing perceptions that local facilities, oversight, and regulations are unreliable.
Recent Central Bank of Nigeria data show a sharp decline in medical tourism spending, dropping from $2.38 million in the first half of 2024 to just $0.09 million in the same period of 2025.
Analysts warn that while the decline may be due to tighter foreign exchange, economic pressures, or increased local utilisation, it does not indicate restored confidence in the health system.
Managing Partner at Park Harmon Advisory, Dr. Muyiwa Tegbe, said distrust also affects local healthcare behaviour, with many Nigerians opting for self-medication, home births, or informal treatments, increasing risks for mothers, infants, and chronic patients.
Dr. Benjamin Obire, Founder of Health-Hub Africa, said the $1.3 billion outflow could fund around 50 tertiary hospitals, highlighting the high human and financial cost of lost trust. Experts emphasise that restoring confidence requires consistent accountability, investment in quality care, respect for health professionals, and ethical governance.
The medical tourism trend underscores that Nigeria’s health crisis is not just economic—it is fundamentally a crisis of trust.
