Naija News • 40m ago
TETFund seeks stronger medical training to curb medical tourism
**TETFund Aims to Reduce Medical Tourism in Nigeria**
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) is working tirelessly to strengthen medical training in Nigeria and reduce the country's reliance on medical tourism. According to the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, improving healthcare facilities and expanding the capacity of tertiary institutions are crucial steps towards achieving this goal.
Echono made this statement during a courtesy visit by the Nigerian Air Force delegation led by Air Marshal Sunday Aneke to the TETFund headquarters in Abuja. He highlighted the Federal Government's efforts to enhance the training of healthcare professionals and upgrade medical facilities across tertiary institutions.
Echono noted that President Muhammadu Buhari has been very supportive of the initiative and has directed TETFund to work towards reversing medical tourism in the country. He emphasized the need to improve facilities for teaching medicine, pharmacy, nursing, and dentistry, as well as providing quality healthcare services to the Nigerian population.
To achieve this, TETFund is expanding its support beyond university faculties of medicine to teaching hospitals. This move aims to enhance clinical training and improve the quality of healthcare services. Additionally, the Fund is providing medical equipment and accommodation for students during their clinical training at teaching hospitals.
Echono stressed the importance of strengthening the entire healthcare workforce, not just doctors, to build a system capable of meeting Nigeria's medical needs. He noted that other healthcare professionals, such as nurses and technicians, play critical roles in providing quality healthcare services.
The TETFund's efforts are a welcome development for Nigerians who have been forced to seek medical attention abroad due to the country's inadequate healthcare infrastructure. By investing in medical training and healthcare facilities, Nigeria can reduce its reliance on medical tourism and improve the overall well-being of its citizens.
It is worth noting that medical tourism is a significant issue in Nigeria, with many citizens traveling abroad for medical treatment due to the country's limited healthcare capacity. According to estimates, Nigeria loses billions of naira annually to medical tourism, which could be invested in improving the country's healthcare infrastructure.
The TETFund's initiative is a step in the right direction towards addressing this issue and improving Nigeria's healthcare sector. With increased support for medical training and facilities, Nigeria can provide quality healthcare services to its citizens and reduce its reliance on medical tourism.