Former Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Sarafa Tunji Isola, has described the concept of medical tourism as politicised and virtually non-existent.
Isola made this statement in Abeokuta, Ogun State, while responding to questions from newsmen at the 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Scientific Conference of the Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN), Ogun State Chapter.
The conference was themed ‘The Training of Muslim Healthcare Professionals: Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges,’ with the sub-theme, ‘Healing the Healers: Burnout, Compassionate Practice, and the Muslim Healthcare Worker.’
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Speaking at the event, Isola argued that the term ‘medical tourism’ has been politicised, particularly when linked to public officials, while the private sector players largely escape criticism.
‘If you have an ailment and are referred abroad for treatment, and you can afford it or funds are raised for you, I don’t see that as medical tourism,’ he said.
Going memory lane, Isola said ‘In those days, people came from Saudi Arabia to receive medical treatment at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan. Was that medical tourism?’
He further emphasised that technological gaps have made international treatment inevitable in certain cases.
‘What you call medical tourism is virtually a political thing and non-existent.
‘But you know we live in an accountable society, if the private sector people do that then there’s no issue about it, it is only when public officials do that,’ he said.
However, the former Minister of Mines and Steel Development urged public officials to prioritise investment in Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure.
Delivering the keynote address, Professor Ibrahim Uthman, from the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies, University of Ibadan, highlighted the complex healthcare needs of Muslim communities, stressing the need for educational and intellectual initiatives that respect Islamic values.
He identified several challenges faced by Muslims in accessing healthcare, including pervasive stigmatisation,
shortage of competent Muslim healthcare professionals, islamophobia,
and called for strategic solutions to overcome them.
Professor Uthman called for partnerships between healthcare institutions, mosques, Muslim communities, and professionals, to promote a more patient-centred healthcare system.
He also advocated for healthcare training that equips staff with the awareness and skills to accommodate patients’ religious and cultural sensitivities.
In his remarks, the Ogun State Chairman (Amir) of IMAN, Dr. Ibrahim Opeewe, said the AGM focused on improving the welfare of members.
He said the event featured medical outreach activities, including free eye and dental screening, distribution of free eyeglasses and medications.
He reiterated the association’s willingness to collaborate with individuals, institutions, and organisations to provide accessible healthcare across the state.