The federal government has stated that almost 10,000 Nigerians received specialist medical services, surgeries, and other healthcare support through the 2026 Nigeria Diaspora Health Impact Initiative (NDHII).
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, made this announcement on Saturday during the National Diaspora Merit Award Dinner and the closing ceremony for the 2026 Diaspora Health Impact Initiative. This event took place at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Abuja.
Mr Salako noted that the initiative gathered thousands of Nigerian healthcare professionals living abroad who came back home to provide specialist medical services. They conducted surgeries, mentored local healthcare workers, and supported the healthcare system in Nigeria.
He described the program as a sign of patriotism and a way to show how the skills of Nigerians abroad can help improve healthcare in the country.
According to him, medical teams from Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Germany, and South Africa provided medical support across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones.
Mr Salako mentioned that the initiative offered medical consultations, specialist surgeries, diagnostic services, telemedicine, sickle cell screening, and more to nearly 10,000 Nigerians.
He added that over 2,000 frontline healthcare workers received training during the program. This training aimed to boost the country's ability to provide quality healthcare after the medical missions ended.
Among the accomplishments he highlighted, over 1,000 frontline health workers were trained on the Safer Births Bundle of Care in Kano, Kaduna, and Sokoto states.
He also shared that more than 4,000 medical consultations and over 500 surgeries took place in Enugu, Imo, and Abia states.
He noted that advanced procedures like interventional radiology, neurosurgery, and endoscopy were performed in Lagos. Healthcare workers in Edo State received training on ultrasound diagnosis for endometriosis.
He mentioned that telemedicine and primary healthcare services were expanded in the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa State through this initiative.
Mr Salako stated that the federal government would keep engaging with Nigerian health professionals abroad. They plan to make licensing easier, help with locum arrangements, and support customs and visa waivers for medical missions.
He also said the government would encourage investments from the diaspora in hospitals, diagnostic centers, and pharmaceutical production.
While recognizing the migration of Nigerian health professionals, Mr Salako explained that the Tinubu administration is making reforms. These reforms aim to improve healthcare financing, infrastructure, worker welfare, and professional growth.
He urged Nigerian healthcare professionals abroad to register on the newly launched Nigerians in Diaspora Advanced Health Programme (NiDAH) Portal and the Diaspora Health Registry. This will help them contribute more effectively to Nigeria's health sector.
Mr Salako also called for ongoing collaboration through telemedicine, digital health, structured training partnerships, joint clinical research, technology transfer, and public-private partnerships.
He praised the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), state governments, development partners, and the joint planning committee for their support in successfully carrying out the initiative.
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