Patient-Centricity and Trust: Essential for Curbing Nigeria's Medical Tourism Outflow

Nigeria's significant reliance on cross-border healthcare is increasingly linked to fractured doctor-patient relationships and existing infrastructure deficits, a perspective shared by UK-based physician Tokunbo Fasuyi. Many Nigerian international patients are not only seeking superior facilities abroad but also a healthcare environment where they feel respected, informed, and actively involved in their treatment decisions.

The Driving Forces Behind Cross-Border Healthcare

For many years, Nigeria has observed a substantial outflow of citizens engaging in medical tourism for a wide array of treatments, from routine health checks to intricate surgical procedures. Preferred healthcare destination countries include the United Kingdom, India, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates, where patients anticipate receiving more accurate diagnoses, attentive care, and structured follow-up programs.

Industry analysts have traditionally cited factors such as inadequate medical infrastructure, limited access to specialized equipment, frequent industrial actions by healthcare professionals, and chronic underfunding of public hospitals as key contributors to this trend. However, a growing consensus among experts suggests that the challenges extend beyond physical resources and staffing to encompass the crucial aspects of patient engagement and continuity of care.

Mr Fasuyi projected that Nigerians would expend approximately N500 billion on patient travel for healthcare in 2024, an expenditure he deemed unsustainable for the nation's health sector. He further asserted that numerous conditions currently managed overseas could be effectively addressed within Nigeria through enhanced communication, consistent care, and robust patient education.

The Erosion of Patient Confidence

In an interview with PREMIUM TIMES, Mr Fasuyi highlighted that insufficient communication, limited opportunities for shared decision-making, and inadequate patient involvement have collectively diminished public trust in Nigerian healthcare providers.

“These are not just technical failures; they are relationship failures,” stated Mr Fasuyi. “When patients don’t feel listened to or understand what is happening to their bodies, trust breaks down.”

He further explained the widespread confusion many patients experience within the local system, often leading to unnecessary tests or procedures due to conflicting medical advice. “Healthcare can be very confusing,” he noted. “One doctor says it’s malaria, another says typhoid. You conduct expensive investigations, only to have another doctor tell you those tests were unnecessary. You’re told to undergo a procedure, but you don’t even understand the results. People need someone who can guide them and explain what is happening.”

Aegis Private Health Consultants: A New Approach

These pressing concerns spurred the establishment of Aegis Private Health Consultants by Mr Fasuyi. This innovative initiative aims to empower patients in navigating complex healthcare decisions, strengthen vital doctor-patient relationships, and ultimately reduce avoidable patient travel for medical reasons by improving access to expert guidance and specialist care within Nigeria.

Articulating the organization's mission, Mr Fasuyi stated, “Our vision is to set a global standard in healthcare experiences where excellence meets personalisation.”

Aegis operates on multiple levels, recognizing that some individuals consider international care a lifestyle preference, while others primarily seek clarity and professional advice for their health journeys. The firm intends to integrate telemedicine, foster international partnerships, and enhance specialist care provisions domestically. This approach specifically targets high-net-worth individuals and corporate executives who frequently travel abroad for treatments that could readily be managed locally with improved coordination.

Mr Fasuyi likened the need for personalized medical guidance to other professional services: “Just as CEOs have wealth managers and lawyers, some people need a physician as part of their success team. Healthcare should be effortless, especially when decisions are complex.”

Overcoming Systemic Challenges

Mr Fasuyi contended that Nigeria’s prevailing healthcare culture frequently marginalizes patients, reinforcing a perception of medical professionals as unquestionable authorities. “In Nigeria, patients rarely have the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to their care,” he observed. “When people don’t understand diagnoses, procedures or alternatives, trust collapses.”

The inspiration for Aegis stemmed from a deeply personal experience for Mr Fasuyi: the passing of his mother five years prior. She had a successful surgery in the UK, but upon returning to Nigeria for follow-up, her condition deteriorated due to inadequate aftercare and a lack of a supportive environment. While acknowledging the high skills of Nigerian surgeons, he emphasized that gaps in post-treatment support often compromise patient outcomes.

He also pointed to the rising prevalence of lifestyle-related illnesses, linking factors such as poor nutrition, physical inactivity, insufficient sleep, and social isolation to declining health among professionals and executives. Enhancing Nigeria’s health system, he argued, necessitates a strategic pivot from reactive, crisis-driven interventions to proactive, long-term patient engagement and preventive care.

Bottom Line: Rebuilding Trust in Healthcare

1. Prioritize Patient Engagement: Addressing the lack of communication and shared decision-making is crucial to rebuilding trust and reducing the impetus for medical tourism.

2. Invest in Integrated Care: Solutions like Aegis, which combine local specialist care, telemedicine, and international partnerships, offer a viable pathway to retain international patients within Nigeria.

3. Shift to Preventive Models: A focus on long-term, preventive health management, rather than solely crisis intervention, is essential for improving overall quality of care and patient outcomes.

4. Support Post-Treatment Continuity: Strengthening aftercare and supportive environments within Nigeria can significantly enhance the effectiveness of treatments, even those initiated as cross-border healthcare.

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