Nigeria Loses $1.1bn to Medical Tourism Annually — Deputy Speaker Kalu
Kalu pushes for strategic partnerships and advanced health infrastructure to reduce medical tourism and retain funds
Nigeria Loses $1.1bn to Medical Tourism Annually — Deputy Speaker Kalu
Abuja, Nigeria – Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has disclosed that Nigeria loses approximately $1.1 billion annually to outbound medical tourism, describing the trend as unsustainable for national development.
Kalu made this statement in Abuja on Friday while hosting Dr. Phillip Ozuah, President and CEO of Montefiore Medicine and Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
Strategic Partnerships for Health Transformation
The Deputy Speaker emphasized that while the Tinubu administration has made notable strides in the health sector, government efforts alone cannot transform Nigeria’s healthcare system. He proposed the establishment of a Specialized Medical Research and Training Centre in Nigeria focused on critical areas such as cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, infectious diseases, and medical technology innovation.
“Nigeria’s annual medical tourism bill, which once exceeded $1.6 billion, is now trending downward. Montefiore’s collaboration can accelerate this by developing centers of excellence that meet global standards and retain patients locally,” Kalu said.
Revamping Rural Healthcare and Infrastructure
He expressed deep concern over the state of rural healthcare, revealing that over 30,000 primary health centers remain poorly equipped. He called for support from Montefiore, especially in donations of modern equipment and surplus technology to underserved communities.
Kalu also underscored the potential of Nigeria’s highly skilled medical diaspora, proposing initiatives such as:
Knowledge exchange programs
Training fellowships
Research collaborations
AI-driven diagnostic tools
Telemedicine platforms
Private Sector Engagement and PPPs
Calling the moment “historic,” Kalu emphasized the importance of the private sector in bridging Nigeria’s healthcare investment gap. He advocated for Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to drive sustainable healthcare development.
“Health is the only form of wealth that cannot be regained once lost… If preventable deaths continue and maternal mortality remains high, our development remains incomplete,” he stressed.
A New Era: African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE)
Kalu hailed the recent inauguration of the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) in Abuja on June 5, 2025—a $300 million partnership between Afreximbank, King’s College Hospital London, and The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.
Key features of AMCE include:
170-bed capacity (expanding to 500)
5 operating theatres
3 catheter labs
West Africa’s largest ICU
Bone marrow transplant unit
Nigeria’s first 3T MRI
Only PET/SPECT CT in West Africa
2 linear accelerators
Brachytherapy machine
Expected to serve over 350,000 patients in its first five years, the center will create 3,000 jobs and boost training and research for Nigerian professionals.
Policy, Budget, and Legislative Reforms
Kalu reaffirmed that the 10th House of Representatives views health as central to national security and economic development. He listed key legislative moves:
Mandatory health coverage under the NHIA Act
Expansion of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund
Promotion of local pharmaceutical research
Reform of outdated health laws
Establishment of a model National Assembly Clinic
Advancement of the Medical Residency Training Fund Bill
He noted the 2024 health budget allocation of over ₦1.33 trillion—Nigeria’s largest yet—as proof of renewed government commitment.
“Budgets alone do not deliver outcomes; resilient systems do,” he concluded.
The Deputy Speaker’s advocacy signals a comprehensive push for health sector transformation through global partnerships, private investment, and institutional reform.
