Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire on Monday disclosed that Nigeria loses more than $1bn annually to medical tourism.
He said the federal government was worried about the development and exploring measures to contain the foreign exchange drain.
He said despite government’s huge investment in training of skilled manpower and professionals, as well as building health infrastructures; the trend has remained.
This he said is due to loss of confidence in the nation’s health care system.
Ehanire spoke in Lagos on Sunday during the first Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Amity Awards and Benefit Event.
Also, the Chief Medical Director of the Hospital, Prof. Chris Bode said Nigerians have no reason to seek medical treatment abroad as Nigerian health institutions have the capability.
The Minister described the award initiated by Mr. Solomon Alao, the Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Intervention Development and Leadership (CIDL) and Social Investment Consultant as a first step in rebuilding confidence of Nigerians in the health sector.
According to him, despite the negative stories circulating about the country’s health sector, there are professionals making sacrifices and working to reverse the trend.
