Health Insurance in Nigeria, Africa

Information expatriation

Capital City: Abuja
Total area: 923,768 km2
Population: 148,093,000
Money: Currency Converter
Time Zone: List of time zones by country
Calling Code: +234 XXX

Practical Information:

Wikipedia Nigeria

Health Product: Travel Insurance and Health insurance
Health Insurance information and Sanitary Risk: World Health Map
BLOG: Expat Health insurance Information

Here is a brief description of the healthcare system in the country:

·      Nigeria has a three-tier healthcare system consisting of primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of care.

·      Primary care is provided through public PHCs with limited tools and staff in rural areas. Secondary/tertiary is centralized.

·      Majority of the population relies on private providers and out-of-pocket payments due to weak public infrastructure.

·      Federal and state governments jointly fund the system but spending is only about 4% of GDP.

·      Private hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies dominate in urban centers but rural healthcare access is poor.

·      Key health burdens include communicable diseases like malaria, maternal/child health issues, non-communicable diseases.

·      Significant disparities exist between health outcomes and access in the north versus south, rural versus urban regions.

·      Medical tourism is common for specialized or elective care not available locally.

·      In summary, Nigeria's system aims for universal coverage through mixed funding but faces major challenges of underfunding, uneven quality and lack of rural access to basic services. Advance planning is important for expats.

Here are some key health considerations for expatriates living in the country:

·      Purchase comprehensive international medical insurance before arrival as public services have major gaps.

·      Urban centers like Lagos and Abuja have better facilities - know your nearest options, especially if rural.

·      Bring needed prescription medications as availability varies greatly outside major cities.

·      Risks exist for infectious diseases depending on region - strictly follow basic sanitation and hygiene.

·      Mental healthcare access tends to be limited compared to physical health services nationwide.

·      Spanish/English language skills are important for interactions given hundreds of local languages.

·      Understand insurance coverage details fully including limits, exclusions before relocating.

·      Register with your embassy and have advanced medical evacuation plans in place.

·      Road travel safety differs substantially from international standards in some areas.

·      With advance planning and reliable insurance, expats can access private Nigerian care options. But personal responsibility for health and security remains high given infrastructure limitations.