…. Urges strategic health sector reforms

By Gift ChapiOdekina, Abuja

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, has called for urgent, strategic reforms and investment in Nigeria’s health sector, declaring that the country can no longer afford to hemorrhage over $1.1 billion annually to outbound medical tourism.

Speaking during a high-level meeting with Mr. Phillip Ozuah, President of Montefiore Medicine and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Kalu made a compelling case for reversing Nigeria’s medical exodus by turning the country into a hub for cutting-edge health care and research.

“We are at a turning point,” Kalu said. “The loss of $1.1 billion each year to medical tourism is unsustainable. Our people deserve better — world-class facilities, well-equipped hospitals, and access to top-tier medical professionals right here at home.

Kalu proposed a landmark initiative — a partnership to establish a Specialized Medical Research and Training Centre in Nigeria focused on tackling cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, infectious diseases, and medical technology innovation. Modeled after global best practices, the centre would be a flagship institution co-developed with the Federal Government and credible private investors.

He emphasized that the burden is too great for government alone.

“Despite progress under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, government action alone is insufficient. We need bold, strategic partnerships with institutions like Montefiore to build resilient systems that deliver real outcomes,” Kalu stated.

The Deputy Speaker revealed that over 30,000 primary health care centers across Nigeria remain under-equipped — a critical barrier to quality care, especially in rural communities. He urged Montefiore and similar institutions to support Nigeria through equipment donations and surplus technology from the U.S., which he said would have a “transformative impact.”

In his words, “Modern equipment in underserved communities will not only save lives, it will restore confidence in our health system.”

Kalu also unveiled a robust diaspora engagement strategy, noting that Nigeria’s medical professionals abroad are some of the most skilled in the world. He proposed knowledge exchange programs, research collaborations, telemedicine platforms, AI diagnostics, and remote training schemes that allow the diaspora to contribute meaningfully without needing to permanently relocate.

“Nigeria’s medical diaspora is a sleeping giant — one we must awaken to build capacity at home,” he said.

Kalu underscored the importance of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in unlocking healthcare infrastructure investments. He said Montefiore’s collaboration could help accelerate the establishment of Centers of Excellence that meet international standards and reduce outbound patient flow.

He cited a successful example: the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE), which was inaugurated on June 5, 2025, in Abuja through a $300 million partnership involving Afreximbank, King’s College Hospital London, and The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.

“This 170-bed facility — the largest specialist private hospital in West Africa — sets a new benchmark in oncology, diagnostics, and specialist care,” Kalu said, highlighting its advanced technologies, including Nigeria’s first 3T MRI, West Africa’s only PET/SPECT CT, and linear accelerators.

Kalu noted that Nigeria’s demographics make it a prime candidate for long-term healthcare investment. “With over 220 million people, 60% of whom are under 25, strengthening our health sector is not just a national priority — it’s a regional and global necessity,” he said.

He stressed that health is “the only form of wealth that cannot be regained once lost,” warning that development remains incomplete if citizens continue to die from preventable or treatable illnesses.

The Deputy Speaker reaffirmed the commitment of the 10th National Assembly to systemic reform. Legislative milestones include:

Making health insurance coverage mandatory under the NHIA Act, expanding the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, advancing the Medical Residency Training Fund (Amendment) Bill to address brain drain, promoting local pharmaceutical research, harmonizing standards through the Health Infrastructure Development and Regulation Bill, Commissioning the National Assembly Clinic as a model for public-sector health delivery

Kalu praised the administration’s ₦1.33 trillion allocation to health in the 2024 national budget — the highest in history — but noted that “budgets alone do not deliver outcomes. Resilient systems do.”

Quoting the World Health Organization, Kalu reminded stakeholders that every dollar invested in health yields four dollars in productivity. “If we truly want to build a healthier, more prosperous Nigeria, we must invest now, innovate boldly, and collaborate widely,” he said.