Vice President Kashim Shettima revealed on Thursday that Nigeria is experiencing a rise in reverse medical tourism, with patients from the United States and other nations coming to the country for affordable, high-quality kidney transplants.
Shettima credited Nigeria’s competitive treatment costs and skilled medical expertise as key factors drawing patients.
He made the statement during a courtesy visit by the Nigerian Association of Nephrology to the Presidential Villa in Abuja, ahead of the association’s 37th Scientific Conference.
Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communication, shared highlights of the discussion in a statement titled “Nigeria Now Witnessing Surge In Reverse Medical Tourism – VP Shettima.”
The Vice President emphasized the importance of further investment in specialized medical education to sustain and expand this progress.
“The rise in reverse medical tourism is due to the quality of care at some of our hospitals,” Shettima said. “Recently, 13 patients from the U.S. traveled to Nigeria for kidney transplants at Zenith Medical and Kidney Centre because it is more affordable here, yet they receive the same level of expertise found anywhere in the world.”
Shettima praised Dr. Olalekan Olatise, the Chief Medical Director of Zenith Medical and Kidney Centre, for his outstanding contributions to kidney care, calling him “a very decent man who is highly altruistic” in his mission to help others.
However, the Vice President acknowledged the financial burden that many patients face, often having to sell their homes or seek government assistance to afford a transplant.
“While the kidney transplant process is a major challenge, life after the procedure can be even more difficult. Many patients struggle with the costs of post-transplant care, particularly the essential immunosuppressants that are necessary to protect their health,” he noted.
Shettima also reflected on his tenure as Governor of Borno State, highlighting healthcare initiatives like the successful free maternal care programs he implemented.
“At a local hospital near my home, we provide every new mother with a bag of rice and beans. They handle about 30 births a day, even more than the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
In less than eight months, over 4,000 deliveries have been recorded, with all medical expenses, including caesarean sections, fully covered.”
The Vice President reiterated the need to develop Nigeria’s medical workforce. He shared his experience as Borno State Governor, when he sent 60 female students to Sudan to study medicine.
“58 of them completed their studies and passed the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria licensing exams. Many of them are now in medical residency programs. The beauty of training women in medicine is that they are more likely to remain and serve their communities.”
Shettima emphasized the need for deliberate investments in specialized healthcare education.
Earlier, Dr. Olatise, who also chairs the Local Organizing Committee for the 37th Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Association of Nephrology, announced that the conference, themed “Revolutionizing Kidney Care in Nigeria: Evidence-Based Innovations,” will take place in Abuja from February 19-21, 2025.
The association also revealed plans to honor Vice President Shettima with the Kidney Champion Award for his advocacy and support for kidney patients, including funding immunosuppressants and proposing a specialized lab for post-transplant care.
“We have recognized the Vice President’s efforts in caring for kidney patients in Nigeria. His involvement in purchasing immunosuppressants, funding post-transplant care, and even considering the creation of a lab to monitor calcineurin inhibitor levels for kidney patients has been remarkable. This award acknowledges his commitment,” Olatise said.
The conference is expected to attract over 600 participants, including Nigerian medical professionals abroad, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, and dialysis consumables manufacturers.
In line with its commitment to improving healthcare access, Zenith Medical and Kidney Centre recently partnered with Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital in Sokoto to carry out a successful kidney transplant.
Other delegation members included Dr. Adegboyega Faponle, Secretary of the LOC, and Dr. Manmak Mamven, NAN Treasurer.
