Physicians have expressed the opinion that setting up Exclusive Personality clinics within teaching hospitals in the country will not address the issue of healthcare affordability and accessibility for the majority of Nigerians.
Instead, they believe that such VIP clinics may promote medical tourism within Nigeria and potentially decrease the need for medical treatment overseas by affluent individuals and government officials in the future.
The doctors argue that rather than focusing on making healthcare affordable for all, channeling resources into VIP clinics catering to a privileged few may divert valuable funds that could be used for improving and enhancing access to public hospitals for the general population.
They stress that VIP clinics, by their nature, cater to a specific segment of society and do not offer services that are financially accessible to the average citizen, thus failing to benefit the broader population.
These healthcare professionals have voiced their objections in response to the government’s proposal to establish a VIP clinic at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital in Makurdi.
Dr. Steven Hwande, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, mentioned the hospital’s plans to introduce a VIP Clinic aimed at serving prominent individuals seeking privacy during a press conference held on July 17 to announce the forthcoming 2024 International Investment Summit, which will feature a medical scientific exhibition showcasing various medical equipment.
Hwande said, “Benue State University Teaching Hospital is set to open an International Investment Summit. The aim is to mimic what is happening everywhere, and part of it is to achieve medical tourism.
“We are having an exhibition from Thursday; that is a medical scientific exhibition on research and training. During this exhibition, people will come to display medical equipment. The hospital is also going to set up a VIP clinic.”
Nigeria’s healthcare system is underdeveloped and lacks modern facilities, according to the International Trade Administration.
Most Nigerians pay out-of-pocket for treatment and healthcare access, and the non-mandatory health insurance system hinders increased participation.
Despite these challenges, the 2024 budget allocates only 4.6% to healthcare, short of the 15% commitment made in the 2001 Abuja Declaration.
Physicians argue that VIP hospitals contradict their advocacy for accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare for all. They stress that healthcare should prioritize the needs of all citizens, not just the wealthy.
Dr Isaiah Abali
Dr. Isaiah Abali, Chairman of the Abia State Nigerian Medical Association, notes that VIP clinics cater to those who can afford high-level care, excluding the common man.
He cites a similar setup at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, highlighting the disparity in healthcare access.
Physicians emphasize investing in public healthcare infrastructure to benefit the broader population, rather than diverting resources to exclusive facilities.
He said, “At a point, LUTH had the same arrangement to operate a VIP clinic equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and staffed by trained personnel.”
Dr. Abali’s remarks highlight a worry shared by many medical professionals that VIP clinics may prioritize treating wealthy patients, potentially redirecting resources away from enhancing public healthcare facilities that could benefit a larger portion of the population, thereby exacerbating existing healthcare disparities.
He elaborated, “At a point, LUTH had the same arrangement to operate a VIP clinic equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and staffed by trained personnel.”
Abali’s comments underscore a concern among medical professionals that VIP clinics may cater primarily to affluent patients, potentially diverting resources away from improving public healthcare infrastructure that could benefit a broader segment of the population.
“However, this is not the type of healthcare we advocate for in Nigeria. It is not intended for the common man. Its focus is on those who can afford high-level care. Therefore, by establishing it, you are not addressing the healthcare needs of the general population.
“Additionally, if the clinic is well-built and provided with services comparable to those available abroad, it has the potential to reduce medical tourism abroad to a significant extent and redirect the tourism to Nigeria.
“This is because its rates are likely to be more affordable than those offered outside the country. If the VIP clinic can provide comparable services at a lower cost, it may deter people who would otherwise travel abroad for similar medical services.
“We cannot eliminate the concept of a VIP clinic, but it will take time for people to build enough confidence in it to start using its services. Initially, people may hesitate and wait to see the outcomes before they begin to frequent the clinic.
“But even with all these improvements, some people will still prefer to seek medical care abroad, especially if they have other commitments or preferences overseas. Therefore, it cannot completely eliminate medical tourism, but it can certainly reduce its prevalence.
“So when they attract such individuals who are willing to pay, and word spreads about the clinic’s capabilities, more people will start utilising its services. This could generate revenue for the government and potentially promote medical tourism within Nigeria. It may cater specifically to government functionaries, aiming to reduce the amount of money spent abroad on medical expenses,” he explained.
Speaking more, a Public Health Physician at the Federal Medical Centre in Asaba, Delta State, Dr Ovie Efekodo, highlighted, “I don’t think having a VIP clinic in a Teaching Hospital is a new development. Many hospitals already have VIP wings.
“It is meant for people who avoid the bureaucratic processes of government settings. So, having a similar setup in Benue is not new, but it doesn’t impact the healthcare metrics of the common man because VIP services are more expensive compared to regular services.
“Some influential individuals in the country may prefer not to use public hospitals and opt for VIP wings instead. This could potentially redirect hundreds of millions of dollars that would have been spent abroad back into the country’s economy or local healthcare services.
“However, in the short term, it may not directly improve healthcare access for the common man, but on the other hand, it could have a multiplier effect on medical tourism within Nigeria in the long run.”
