US, UK patients now seek medical care in Nigeria – Pate

By Kunle Sanni

The Federal Government on Tuesday said Nigeria is steadily emerging as a hub for quality healthcare, attracting patients not only from the West African subregion but also from countries as far as the United States and the United Kingdom.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The minister highlighted key decisions aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system, including the approval of ₦12 billion for the procurement and installation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines in six tertiary health institutions. MRI machines are crucial for advanced medical diagnostics, enabling early detection and treatment of complex health conditions.

Pate emphasized that these investments align with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes expanding access to high-quality medical care, reducing outbound medical tourism, and positioning Nigeria as a top destination for specialized treatments.

He noted that Nigeria’s healthcare system is gaining global recognition, attracting international patients who previously sought medical care in other countries. He attributed this progress to improved medical infrastructure, policy reforms, and increased private-sector involvement in healthcare delivery.

According to him:

“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. Despite the challenges we face, significant progress is being made, and the transformation promised by President Tinubu is already taking shape.”

Pate revealed that FEC approved contracts for the procurement and installation of MRI machines and CT scanners in the following tertiary institutions:

  • University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (Akwa Ibom)
  • Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta (Ogun State)
  • Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (Osun State)
  • Federal Medical Centre, Keffi (Nasarawa State)
  • Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital (Adamawa State)
  • Federal Teaching Hospital, Kebbi (Kebbi State)

“This investment in critical diagnostic infrastructure is part of a broader effort to expand Nigeria’s healthcare capacity, ensuring that our tertiary institutions can offer world-class medical services,” Pate noted.

Nigeria Ratifies African Medicines Agency Treaty

A significant decision made by the FEC was Nigeria’s ratification of the African Medicines Agency (AMA) Treaty. The treaty, adopted by the African Union in 2019, aims to harmonize medical regulatory standards across the continent and enhance access to safe, high-quality, and effective medical products through a Pan-African regulatory framework.

“So far, 37 African Union member states have signed the treaty, with 26 having ratified it. Today, the Federal Executive Council directed that Nigeria take all necessary actions to give full effect to this treaty,” Pate stated.

He explained that this move would expand Nigeria’s pharmaceutical market beyond national borders, allowing locally manufactured medical products to meet continental standards.

“What we produce here will not just be ‘Made in Nigeria,’ but over time, it will be recognized as ‘Made in Africa.’ This is a significant step towards self-sufficiency in medical products and pharmaceutical industrialization,” he added.

The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a healthcare system that Nigerians can rely on while also attracting patients from across the globe.

“We are investing in infrastructure, human resources, and regulatory frameworks to create a healthcare system that Nigerians can trust,” he said.

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