Patients From UK, US Flock Nigeria For Quality Healthcare, Says Minister

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, announced that patients from the United Kingdom, United States, and other parts of the West African region are increasingly coming to Nigeria for quality medical care. He shared this update on Tuesday during a briefing with State House correspondents after a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting led by President Bola Tinubu.

Pate emphasized that despite the challenges the country faces, significant progress is being made, with the transformation promised by President Tinubu already beginning to show. He noted that people from far-flung regions, including the UK and the US, are choosing Nigeria for healthcare services, which reflects the country’s growing medical capabilities.

As part of the ongoing health sector reforms, the Nigerian government has approved N12 billion for the purchase of advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) equipment for six tertiary health institutions across the country, including the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta, and Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife.

These investments are part of a broader effort to enhance the country’s health infrastructure, enabling Nigeria’s tertiary health facilities to provide world-class medical services. The federal government is also working on strengthening the local pharmaceutical industry by ratifying the African Medicines Agency (AMA) Treaty, aimed at improving the quality and accessibility of medical products across the continent.

Pate further noted that this move will help expand Nigeria’s pharmaceutical market beyond its borders and promote self-sufficiency in medical production, making Nigerian-made medical products recognized across Africa. He highlighted that the government is committed to building a reliable healthcare system that attracts international patients and meets the needs of Nigerians.