- The Nigerian vice president Yemi Osinbajo has said medical tourism is ruining the Nigerian economy
- Speaking at national health dialogue organised by the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism
- He also said there is a need to stop the trend to stop draining Nigeria's reserves
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has condemned the huge amount of money Nigerians spend on medical treatment in other countries.
On Thursday, August 14, he spoke at the commencement of a two-day national health dialogue organised by the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism, PTCIJ, the Project for Advocacy in Child and Family Health, PACFaH, and the Project Pink Blue at the Musa Yar’adua Centre in Abuja.
According to Premium Times in his speech, Vice President Osinbajo, represented by the director general, Voice of Nigeria, Osita Okechukwu, said medical tourism has cost Nigeria billions of dollars.
READ ALSO: APC chieftain advises Buhari to return to London for treatment
“We want to stop that trend because it is draining our reserves,” he said.
Professor Olso sinbajo asaid healthcare for Nigerians is important to the Buhari administration.
He explained that the president was interested in health issues, but said poverty was also a major issue to look at.
The health dialogue was chaired by the vice president, and hosted by the Minister for Health, Isaac Adewole.
PAY ATTENTION: Watch more videos on NAIJ.com TV
NAIJ.com earlier reported that the British Broadcasting Cooperation (BBC) accused President Muhammadu Buhari of ''an apparent lack of faith in the health systems at home."
According to BBC, Buhari was on the list of five African presidents who frequently and without proper consideration of the consequences travel abroad for medical treatment.
Among others were Presidents Abdelaziz Bouteflika (Algeria), Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe), Jose Eduardo dos Santos (Angola) and Patrice Talon (Benin), Vanguard reports.
Watch this NAIJ.com video as Nigerians speak on Buhari's treatment: