Background of the Study
Medical tourism, the practice of traveling to another country for medical care, has grown significantly worldwide. Nigeria is one of the countries heavily impacted by outbound medical tourism, with thousands of Nigerians seeking medical services abroad annually, particularly in countries like India, the United Kingdom, and the United States (Eze & Akinola, 2024). This trend reflects the perceived inadequacies in local healthcare systems, such as poor infrastructure, inadequate medical equipment, and lack of specialized personnel.
In Lagos State, considered a healthcare hub in Nigeria, private and public hospitals face significant financial pressures due to medical tourism. The outflow of patients translates to reduced revenues, underutilized healthcare facilities, and a diminished capacity for hospitals to invest in modern technologies and improve service quality. Understanding the financial implications of medical tourism is crucial to developing strategies that will not only retain patients but also enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian hospitals in the global healthcare market.
Statement of the Problem
Despite efforts to improve healthcare delivery in Nigeria, the country continues to experience significant losses due to outbound medical tourism. Nigerian hospitals in Lagos, in particular, struggle to compete with foreign medical institutions offering advanced and specialized treatments. These challenges are compounded by the public's perception of inferior service quality locally, leading to a preference for foreign healthcare providers. This study seeks to critically examine the financial impact of medical tourism on hospitals in Lagos State and identify actionable measures to mitigate these effects.
Objectives of the Study
1. To assess the financial losses incurred by hospitals in Lagos State due to medical tourism.
2. To evaluate factors driving Nigerians to seek medical care abroad.
3. To recommend strategies for improving healthcare delivery and retaining patients locally.
Research Questions
1. What are the financial losses incurred by Lagos hospitals due to medical tourism?
2. What factors influence Nigerians’ preference for foreign medical care?
3. What measures can Lagos hospitals adopt to improve healthcare delivery and retain patients?
Research Hypotheses
1. Medical tourism significantly reduces the revenue of hospitals in Lagos State.
2. The quality of healthcare services in Lagos influences patients' preference for foreign treatment.
3. Investments in advanced medical technologies and specialized training can mitigate medical tourism losses.
Scope and Limitations of the Study
The study focuses on the financial implications of outbound medical tourism on private and public hospitals in Lagos State between 2023 and 2025. Limitations include challenges in accessing financial data from private healthcare providers and possible biases in patient survey responses.
Definitions of Terms
• Medical Tourism: Traveling to another country for medical care, often due to perceived advantages in cost, quality, or availability of services.
• Financial Implications: The economic effects, including revenue losses and expenditures, associated with a particular activity or phenomenon.
• Healthcare Delivery: The provision of medical services to patients by healthcare providers.
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