The federal government disclosed on Tuesday, during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, Nigeria's strategic positioning for medical tourism as it increasingly attracts patients from not only the West African sub-region but also countries as far away as the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (USA). The announcement was made by Coordinated Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, who emphasized the transformative efforts underway to bolster the nation's healthcare system.
Pate informed journalists at the end of the FEC meeting, presided over by President Bola Tinubu, about key decisions made to strengthen Nigeria's healthcare framework. He stated, “People are now beginning to come from the subregion, and even from faraway places like the UK and the US, to receive quality healthcare in Nigeria.” Pate highlighted the government’s commitment to sustaining these positive developments, asserting, “Despite what we may want to believe about Nigeria’s healthcare system, there are good things happening – the transformation promised by the President is beginning to happen.”
One of the cornerstone initiatives announced was the approval of N12 billion for the procurement of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technology and other advanced diagnostic equipment across six tertiary health institutions. Pate detailed the contracts for three MRI machines and two Computed Tomography (CT) scanners, which will be installed at various hospitals, including the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Center, Abeokuta, and Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital.
“This investment in diagnostic infrastructure is part of a broader effort to expand Nigeria’s health system capacity, ensuring our tertiary institutions can offer world-class medical services,” Pate remarked, reinforcing the objective of improving healthcare quality throughout the country.
Another significant decision made by the FEC was Nigeria's ratification of the African Medicines Agency (AMA) Treaty, which is aimed at harmonizing medical regulatory standards across the continent. This treaty, adopted by the African Union in 2019, aspires to improve access to safe and effective medical products through a comprehensive regulatory framework. Pate noted, “So far, 37 African Union member-states have signed the treaty, with 26 having ratified it. Today, the Federal Executive Council directed Nigeria to take all necessary actions to fully implement this treaty.”
This move is anticipated to expand Nigeria's pharmaceutical market beyond its national borders, allowing locally manufactured medical products to meet continental regulatory standards. Pate emphasized, “What we produce here will not just be 'Made-in-Nigeria,' but over time, it will be recognized as 'Made-in-Africa.' This is significant for achieving self-sufficiency and advancing pharmaceutical industrialization.”
Pate credited President Tinubu for spearheading these reforms and underscored the commitment to investing not just in infrastructure but also in human resources and regulatory frameworks, to establish a healthcare system on which Nigerians can depend and which would attract patients globally.
Through these initiatives, Nigeria aims to emerge as noteworthy medical hub within the region, drawing substantial attention and investment toward enhancing the quality of healthcare available.
On another note, President Tinubu also approved N80 billion for the immediate reconstruction and expansion of the Alau Dam located in Borno State. The dam, which impounds the Ngadda River, suffered catastrophic failure, contributing to flooding and the loss of over 150 lives last year. The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, shared details following the council meeting about the extensive committee report aimed at evaluating dams across the nation.
Utsev elaborated on the committee's formation and its comprehensive assessment of 35 dams, aimed at evaluating their functionalities, such as water supply, flood control, and irrigation. The reconstruction of the Alau Dam is expected to significantly mitigate flooding risks for the surrounding communities, particularly during the forthcoming rainy season. “The Borno state government is working with the subcommittee and members of the Nigerian security advisory office to initiate this project, aiming for the first phase to be completed by July,” Utsev revealed.
These developments reflect the Nigerian government's proactive approach toward addressing both healthcare and infrastructure needs, thereby fostering overall growth and safety for its citizens. The positive reception of this initiative, particularly the health sector reforms, points to potential changes within the healthcare dynamics, possibly making Nigeria not only self-sufficient but also appealing to international patients seeking quality medical services.