Medical Tourism and Nigeria-India Relations
Sharkdam Wapmuk1, Agatha Eileen Wapmuk2 and Titilola Abike Gbajabiamila3
1Department of Research and Studies, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Lagos, Nigeria,
2Division of Clinical Sciences, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria
3 Division of Clinical Sciences, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria
Email: sharksnaw@yahoo.com, swapmuk@niianet.org
ABSTRACT
The paper examines the growing phenomenon of medical tourism in Nigeria-India relations. It also discusses the evolving relationship between Nigeria and India and the growing presence of Indian investments in the Nigerian medical sector. The attraction of Nigerians to Indian hospitals is to seek quality and cost effective healthcare services. This has been necessitated by mismanagement resulting in the under-development of the health sector in Nigeria. India on the other hand has emerged as a major health provider because of its ability to offer ‘first-class treatment at Third World prices’. While India gains from inflow of a large number of Nigerian medical tourists, Nigeria loses from the outflow medical tourists due to the resultant cash flight. The paper also discussed the challenges of medical tourism sector in India. These include complex visa procedures, lack of insurance covers, poor airport facilities to carter for patients who arrive with critical conditions and accommodation challenges. Nigeria and India relations can be further strengthened for mutual benefits by expanding the partnership in the medical sector. The recent inflow of Indian medical centres into Nigeria, such as the Apollo Clinics, Primus hospital, Vedic Lifecare Clinic, Me Cure Healthcare Services Ltd, amongst others, provides the foundation for expanding partnership in this sector. That notwithstanding the number of Nigerians visiting Indian for medical tourism remains huge. Accordingly, the paper concludes by recommending an increased role on the part of the Nigerian government in improving healthcare service delivery in the country. Considering the huge prospects in the health sector, the paper also recommends that Nigerian and Indian entrepreneurs should partner and invest massively in the provision of quality, affordable and accessible healthcare services in Nigeria.
Keywords: Medical, Tourism, Nigeria, India, Patients, Trade and Investment