Nigeria is witnessing a notable surge in reverse medical tourism, with patients from the United States and other countries increasingly seeking treatment in the country for affordable and high-quality kidney transplants, according to Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Nigerian Association of Nephrology (NAN) at the Presidential Villa on Thursday, Shettima highlighted the trend, attributing it to the combination of cost-effectiveness and high standards of medical expertise available in Nigeria.

“Reverse medical tourism is becoming more prominent, largely due to the quality of care available in some of our hospitals. Recently, 13 patients from the United States came to Nigeria for kidney transplants at Zenith Medical and Kidney Centre. The treatment is considerably more affordable here, yet they receive the same level of expertise found anywhere in the world,” Shettima explained.

The Vice President commended Dr. Olalekan Olatise, Chief Medical Director of Zenith Medical and Kidney Centre, for his significant contributions to kidney care. “Dr. Olatise is a very decent man, highly altruistic in his efforts to help humanity,” Shettima added.

Despite the high standards of care, Shettima acknowledged the financial burdens faced by many patients seeking transplants. “While undergoing a kidney transplant is already a monumental challenge, the difficulties do not end there.

Life after the transplant presents even more obstacles, as many patients struggle to afford post-transplant care, including vital immunosuppressants,” he said.

The Vice President also reflected on the healthcare initiatives he spearheaded during his time as Governor of Borno State, particularly the free maternal care programmes which continue to support new mothers.

“In one hospital in my neighbourhood, every new mother receives a bag of rice and beans. They record up to 30 births daily, more than even the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. Over 4,000 deliveries have been registered in less than eight months, all medical expenses covered, including caesarean sections,” Shettima shared.

In further remarks, he emphasised the importance of building Nigeria’s medical workforce. He recounted his efforts to send 60 female students to Sudan to study medicine during his tenure as Governor.

“About 58 of them completed their education and passed the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria licensing exams. Most of them are now in residency programmes.

The advantage of training women in medicine is that they are more likely to stay and serve their communities,” Shettima said.

The Vice President called for targeted investments in specialised healthcare education to continue improving Nigeria’s medical sector. “We must make deliberate and targeted investments in specialised healthcare education in this country,” he urged.

Dr. Olatise, who also serves as Chairman of the Local Organising 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 be held in Abuja from February 19-21, 2025.

During the visit, the association revealed plans to honour Vice President Shettima with the Kidney Champion Award in recognition of his advocacy and direct support for kidney patients, including his efforts to fund immunosuppressants and propose the establishment of a specialised laboratory for post-transplant care.