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Nigeria Expat Health Insurance / Healthcare System News |
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With a population exceeding 150 million, a developing economy and infrastructure requiring a major overhaul, Nigeria’s healthcare system is blighted by overwhelming problems from outbreaks of disease, to financial crises and political instability. While oil is valuable and much sought-after it cannot provide all the answers to the problems affecting the country’s infrastructure. The healthcare system in Nigeria is comprised of private and public run medical facilities, but requires a massive overhaul.
There is limited access to medical care outside the cities and large towns. Some international companies provide healthcare services for their employees. The Federal Government of Nigeria’s main role is to oversee the university teaching hospitals, the state government is responsible for the general hospitals and local government’s responsibility is dispensaries. Nigerian citizens have access to free health care funded by the government; government employees are provided with a special healthcare insurance scheme and private firms enter into agreements with private healthcare providers. The majority of international visitors work in Nigeria; there is a reasonable size expatriate community with small private healthcare facilities available to meet non-essential medical requirements.
There are a number of well trained doctors in Nigeria, although nurses are lacking proper training, but medical facilities are in inadequate and poorly maintained. Diagnostic and medical treatment equipment is normally out-dated; many pharmaceuticals are unavailable with main brands being counterfeit. If you do seek medical treatment in a healthcare facility you will need to pay up-front in cash.
As a foreign national in Nigeria, either a short term visitor or expatriate, you will find the healthcare system severely under-developed and many medical facilities poorly maintained, resulting with in inadequate medical treatment. Expatriates in Nigeria might be provided with medical facilities via their employer, but for comprehensive medical care you will need treatment in a western hospital, this is why it is strongly recommend you have Nigerian expatriate medical insurance while you stay in the country, with full coverage, that can meet all eventualities such as emergency air ambulance services.
Nigeria is blighted by many diseases, combined with a high population and a poorly maintained healthcare system, meaning many Nigerians face a precarious situation when an outbreak occurs. Diseases like malaria, yellow fever and meningococcal meningitis can devastate communities. In order to improve the healthcare system, medical coverage needs to be widened. Educating Nigerians to ensure that they take preventative measures to avoid illness is necessary. Recruitment of healthcare professionals and access to clean water lowers the risk of water-borne disease and bacterial infections. These steps will make positive strides into the healthcare system across the country.
The Nigeria government is working in partnership with international bodies (WHO, World Bank) to improve the healthcare network across the country, with strategies to implement preventative measure via immunizations and to increase and strengthen primary healthcare. It is also planned to provide adequate funding and improve governance of the healthcare system. With these steps being adopted, it should ensure medical care across Nigeria slowly develops.
If you are planning to visit Nigeria for a holiday or to work there, you need to bear-in-mind potential health issues; there is a danger that air pollution could affect your health in the long term. Security issues could lead to serious issues which may damage your health. It is recommended you ensure your vaccinations are up-to-date: these are tetanus, diphtheria, measles, hepatitis A and B. Preventative steps should to taken to avoid contracting typhoid, meningitis and rubella, which can severely blight Nigeria. It is important that expatriates and travelers ensure their travel and medical insurance has comprehensive coverage and includes air ambulance transportation; South Africa is the nearest country with international medical centers of excellence. Foreign nationals seeking medical services are responsible for all payments towards treatment in private and public healthcare facilities in Nigeria.
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Nigeria Expat Health Insurance |
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If you are looking for peace-of-mind knowing that medical costs will be covered in case of an accident or illness, to yourself and your family, while traveling to or residing in Nigeria, health insurance will be the ideal solution. While you are in Nigeria, expat health insurance can provide you a wide range of coverage options including emergency evacuations. Should you require further information on Nigeria, expat medical insurance, or to receive a free quotation, please do not hesitate to call one of our expert advisers now. |
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