COVID-19 Pandemic: The Medical Tourism and its Attendant Outcome for Nigeria

Medical tourism has been the order of the day prior to COVID-19 in Nigeria. A viable health care system depends on the availability of capable human resources for health, adequate funding, ardent health research, standard framework, and good government that recognizes and addresses the health care needs of the people. The coronavirus has however exposed the weak healthcare system of Nigeria, as both facilities and workforce in the health sector of the country remain scanty and cannot combat the demands of the virus leading to the death of high-profile individuals due to the absence of medical tourism. The reason for the poor healthcare system in the country could be attributed to medical tourism which is encouraged by the high class in the country. Medical tourism is driven by factors such as inadequate budgetary allocation to healthcare, limited workforce, poor and underequipped health facilities, shortage of essential drugs and supplies, inadequate access to health care, absence of an integrated system for disease response, prevention, surveillance, and treatment; high user fees and inadequate health care providers, and lack of confidence in the nation’s health. Medical tourism in the country will be minimized and the healthcare system of the country revitalized if all aspect of healthcare is improved and maintained after COVID-19 pandemic