The Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has lamented the high level of medical tourism which according to him “has been a major source of leakage in Nigeria’s growing economy”.
Lamido, who was speaking at a town hall meeting with nigerian physicians working in the united states said India issues about 35,000 medical visas to Nigerians annually while the UK issues about 40,000 which raises concerns over the amount of resources leaving the country for medical treatment.
The town hall meeting was an opportunity for Nigerian physicians in the US to vent their frustrations and demand explanations from top government officials and private sector players present over the lingering issues of decay in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Some speakers faulted the political process that has over the years run down the sector with little or no investment.
But with over 5,000 Nigerian physicians blazing the trail in the United States and an unknown number elsewhere, experts believe Nigeria could be a medical destination country with their collaboration.