Nigeria is experiencing a rise in reverse medical tourism, with patients from the United States and other countries seeking high-quality, affordable healthcare in the country, Vice President Kashim Shettima has said.
Speaking at the Presidential Villa on Thursday during a courtesy visit by the Nigerian Association of Nephrology (NAN) ahead of its 37th Scientific Conference, Shettima highlighted Nigeria’s growing reputation in specialised medical care, particularly in kidney transplants.
“There is reverse medical tourism these days, fundamentally because of the level of care at some of our hospitals,” the Vice President stated. “Recently, thirteen patients from the United States came to Nigeria for kidney transplants at Zenith Medical and Kidney Centre because it is much cheaper here, and they receive the same level of expertise available anywhere in the world.”
Shettima commended Dr. Olalekan Olatise, Chief Medical Director of Zenith Medical and Kidney Centre, for his dedication to kidney care, describing him as “a very decent man who is highly altruistic” in his efforts to assist patients.
However, he acknowledged the financial strain many kidney patients face, emphasizing the long-term cost of post-transplant care.
“While getting a kidney transplant is a significant challenge, life after a transplant presents even more difficulties. Many patients struggle with the cost of post-transplant care, including immunosuppressants, which are essential to maintaining their health,” he said.
Reflecting on his tenure as Governor of Borno State, Shettima shared initiatives aimed at improving healthcare access, including free maternal care programs.
“At a hospital in my neighborhood, we provide a bag of rice and beans to every new mother. They record about 30 births daily, more than even the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH). Over 4,000 deliveries have been recorded in less than eight months, with all medical expenses covered, including caesarean sections,” he revealed.
The Vice President also emphasized the importance of investing in Nigeria’s medical workforce.
“We must make deliberate and targeted investments in specialised healthcare education in this country,” Shettima stated, recalling how his administration sponsored 60 female students to study medicine in Sudan, with 58 successfully completing their training and now serving in residency programs.
Earlier, Dr. Olatise, who also serves as the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the upcoming conference, announced that the event—titled “Revolutionizing Kidney Care in Nigeria: Evidence-Based Innovations”—will take place in Abuja from February 19-21, 2025.
In recognition of his contributions to kidney care and advocacy, the association also revealed plans to honour Vice President Shettima with the Kidney Champion Award for his support of kidney patients, including funding immunosuppressants and advocating for a specialized laboratory for post-transplant care.
