The medical profession are one of the most profitable organisation here. Medi-care does not come cheap! This is why every legal citizen must have insurance, thus making insurance companies another money-making machine! The Government helps children, the elderly and pregnant women with their medical. Drugs are not bought over the counter without doctor's prescription except for minor complaints like headache, cough, cold, catarrh etc And some pharmacies are robbed here because of medication and not money!

An African lady who is a citizen gave birth to her first child without complication or operation, only to be billed $20,000.00! Her insurance paid it. A Nigerian guy had a slight motor accident, he went to the hospital, no injuries sustained. Few hours of bed rest and a cup of water, he was sent home, only for $8,000.00 bill to arrive in his mail! He had to appeal to the Charity organisation operated by the Government, who assisted him to pay part of the amount while he is still paying the balance in bits.

It is a status thing to come here to give birth and have medical check-up, and treatment, which does not come cheap! Some become a burden and liability to their hosts and Government.This is why, there are now stricter rules in the embassy regarding pregnant women wanting to travel and people seeking for medical treatment.


Medical was one of the foremost issue during the presidency debate, because MANY people life depend on the assistance from the Government, the medical profession is not here to play father Christmas! Life comes first to them before money though, and when a person's life is saved, the person will pay gradually over the months and years, but if the person is not forth coming, a debt collector will be contacted and the person will pay by all means over a specified period of time! Illegal immigrants pray earnestly not to fall seriously ill, because they will pay through their nose with cash!
Why am i sharing this? Because,some Nigerians like me have a false impression about the medical services here until we arrived. I now understand why some Nigerian women don't come back to give birth the second time, after the first experience, because it is no child's play!