People traveling outside the country for treatment are draining Nigeria’s reserves – Osinbajo’s representative

– The Nigerian vice president Yemi Osinbajo has said medical tourism is ruining the Nigerian economy

– He said this while speaking at a 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.

“We want to stop that trend because it is draining our reserves,” he said.

Also, Professor Osinbajo said 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.

Mr Olaolu Akande has however said that the statement is the brainchild of the DG, and not the vice president. He said:

https://twitter.com/akandeoj/status/901085603374264321?s=21

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