Nigeria Fights Back: US-Nigeria Partnership to Stem Billions Lost to Medical Tourism

Atunse Healthcare Limited, a new US-Nigeria healthcare partnership, has officially commenced operations with a strategic focus on regenerative medicine and advanced treatment solutions. This initiative is a concerted effort to significantly reduce Nigeria's substantial reliance on overseas medical care and imported healthcare products, addressing a critical national need.

The company, formed through a collaboration between KweHealth, LLC of the United States and Tri-State Healthcare System of Nigeria, aims to cultivate local capacity in advanced healthcare. This development is crucial for retaining a portion of the considerable funds Nigerians currently spend on medical treatment abroad. The launch comes amidst mounting concerns over Nigeria's medical tourism expenditure, which reached an estimated $2.39 billion in 2024 as citizens sought healthcare services overseas.

Speaking at the launch event in Lagos, Prof. Kamar Adeleke, President and Chairman of Atunse Healthcare, elaborated on the partnership's design. He stated that it is structured to integrate international scientific and manufacturing capabilities directly into Nigeria, simultaneously building robust local clinical capacity. KweHealth, LLC provides the established scientific and manufacturing platform, while Tri-State Healthcare System contributes essential clinical delivery and institutional expertise. Prof. Adeleke emphasized that Atunse Healthcare is Nigerian-domiciled and Nigerian-based, and its dedication to regenerative therapies and advanced treatment will play a vital role in advancing Nigeria's broader healthcare ecosystem.

Prof. Adeleke also highlighted that the true cost of Nigeria's dependence on imported healthcare products and overseas treatment extends beyond foreign exchange. He pointed out that Africa currently imports approximately 99 percent of its vaccines and more than 95 percent of its medicines, producing less than one percent of its vaccine supply. He further remarked, "While $2.39 billion left Nigeria in 2024 for medical tourism, the greater cost is borne by those who cannot travel and for whom advanced treatment has not been an option."

Fatima Aliko Dangote, Group Executive Director, Commercial Operations, Oil & Gas, Dangote Industries, representing Alhaji Aliko Dangote, underscored the importance of strengthening local healthcare capacity for Nigeria's economic development. She asserted that developing the ability to prevent, detect, and treat health challenges should be recognized as a strategic national priority, not merely a healthcare objective. "A nation that can protect the health of its people is better positioned to grow its economy, strengthen its workforce, retain talent, attract investment and respond effectively in moments of crisis," she explained.

Referencing the COVID-19 pandemic and the contributions of CACOVID through the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Dangote noted that the health crisis vividly demonstrated the imperative for countries to possess the capacity to respond to emergencies without undue reliance on external sources. She stressed that Nigeria must therefore bolster its healthcare infrastructure, local manufacturing capabilities, and human capital to mitigate vulnerabilities exposed during global health crises.

Prof. Akin Abayomi, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, affirmed that regenerative medicine represents a significant emerging frontier in healthcare. He articulated Lagos State's priority: ensuring the development of the necessary scientific expertise, human capital, and institutions to fully leverage opportunities within this sector. "Regenerative medicine is one of the exciting frontiers in healthcare, and for us in Lagos, the question is how do we make sure that the science, the people and the systems are there to take advantage of it?" Abayomi stated. He acknowledged Nigeria's considerable shortage of healthcare professionals and institutions equipped to support advanced medical treatment, advocating for increased training and institutional development, and attracting expatriate expertise.

Representing Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mrs. Khadijah Ade-Abolade, Director of the Vaccines, Biologics and Medical Devices Registration Directorate, revealed that NAFDAC has proactively restructured its regulatory framework to accommodate these emerging areas of medicine. She affirmed NAFDAC's commitment to fostering innovation while rigorously ensuring that new biologics and regenerative medicine products adhere to appropriate safety and quality standards. "Our mandate is clear: we must foster innovation because Nigeria cannot be left behind," Ade-Abolade declared. She specified that NAFDAC would necessitate African-population clinical data, stringent manufacturing standards, and robust post-market surveillance for these products. Additionally, Ade-Abolade disclosed NAFDAC's support for federal government initiatives to restart local vaccine manufacturing, a capacity Nigeria lost in 1993.

The consensus among all speakers was clear: reducing Nigeria's medical tourism expenditure requires more than simply establishing individual healthcare facilities. They collectively advocated for sustained and significant investment in medical research, local manufacturing capabilities, enhanced healthcare infrastructure, comprehensive talent development, and robust regulatory systems capable of instilling international confidence. The inauguration of Atunse Healthcare therefore signifies a renewed and crucial push to re-position Nigeria not merely as a consumer of medical innovation, but as a potential producer and leading provider of advanced healthcare services across Africa. This initiative is poised to substantially contribute to retaining healthcare spending within the country, simultaneously expanding Nigerians' access to advanced treatment options and fortifying the entire local healthcare value chain.