Every year, Nigerian families spend over $2 billion seeking medical treatment abroad. India receives more than half of that. Turkey, the UK, and Dubai take most of the rest.
Cancer, heart disease, kidney failure, and complex surgery require infrastructure, equipment, and clinical consistency that Nigeria's hospitals cannot reliably provide for the cases that need them most.
My 1Health is a global medical tourism facilitator, having supported 52,000 patients from 95 countries since 2018, including hundreds of Nigerians navigating exactly this journey.
We have offices in Nairobi, Dubai, and the USA, and we work with 350+ JCI-accredited hospital partners across 20 countries.
This guide is built for Nigerian patients and their families. It covers where to go, what it costs in 2026, which hospitals have the strongest records for Nigerian patients, and everything you need to know before you travel.
Quick Destination Overview: Where Nigerian Patients Go and What It Costs (2026)
| Destination | Best for | Cost range (USD, 2026) | Visa for Nigerians |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | Cancer treatments, cardiac, neurology, cosmetics | $15,000 to $80,000+ | Standard Visitor Visa. 4 to 8 weeks |
| Turkey | Cancer treatments, transplants, cardiac, orthopaedics, cosmetics | $5,000 to $22,000 | E-visa. 24 to 72 hours |
| India | Cancer treatments, cardiac, kidney transplant, orthopaedics, BMT | $4,000 to $25,000 | Medical visa. 2 to 4 weeks |
| UAE (Dubai) | Second opinions, fertility, cancer treatments screening | $10,000 to $40,000 | Visit visa. 3 to 5 working days |
| Malaysia | Cardiac, cancer treatments, health screening | $8,000 to $20,000 | Visa-free 30 days |
All costs are 2026 estimates covering procedure costs only. Flights, accommodation, and companion costs are additional.
Which destination is right for you? The answer depends on your condition, your budget, and how much time you can spend abroad. The sections below break this down by treatment type.
Cost of Medical Treatment Abroad from Nigeria (2026)
All figures are in USD and represent hospital procedure costs only.
Flights from Lagos or Abuja to Mumbai, Delhi, or Istanbul cost $600 to $1,400 return.
Accommodation for a companion runs $40 to $100 per night.
Your My 1Health coordinator will provide a specific estimate based on your diagnosis and chosen hospital.
| Procedure | India | Turkey | UAE (Dubai) | Savings vs UK |
| Cancer treatment (chemotherapy, 6 cycles) | $6,000 to $14,000 | $7,000 to $16,000 | $15,000 to $35,000 | 60 to 85% |
| Bone marrow transplant (autologous) | $18,000 to $28,000 | $20,000 to $30,000 | $35,000 to $55,000 | 55 to 75% |
| Bone marrow transplant (allogeneic) | $25,000 to $40,000 | $28,000 to $42,000 | Not available | 60 to 80% |
| Heart bypass surgery (CABG) | $5,000 to $12,000 | $7,000 to $14,000 | $18,000 to $35,000 | 70 to 90% |
| Heart valve replacement | $6,000 to $13,000 | $8,000 to $15,000 | $20,000 to $40,000 | 65 to 85% |
| Kidney transplant (living donor) | $13,000 to $18,000 | $15,000 to $22,000 | Not routinely available | 70 to 85% |
| Total knee replacement (single) | $4,000 to $7,000 | $5,000 to $9,000 | $12,000 to $20,000 | 65 to 80% |
| Total hip replacement | $4,500 to $8,000 | $5,500 to $10,000 | $13,000 to $22,000 | 65 to 80% |
| Spine surgery (fusion, 1 to 2 levels) | $5,000 to $10,000 | $6,000 to $12,000 | $14,000 to $28,000 | 60 to 75% |
| IVF (single cycle, with medications) | $3,000 to $5,000 | $2,500 to $5,500 | $5,000 to $9,000 | 50 to 70% |
Hidden costs Nigerian patients often underestimate:
- Extended stay beyond the quoted package: a post-operative complication can add one to two weeks to your stay.
- Companion costs: $40 to $100 per night, depending on destination, for the full duration.
- Medicines on discharge: prescriptions issued at a foreign hospital that you need to fill locally before flying home.
- Naira volatility: a treatment budgeted at 8 million Naira six months ago may cost 10 million Naira at the same USD price if the exchange rate shifts. Convert a portion to USD before your travel date is confirmed if you can.
What Nigerian Patients Treat Abroad: Conditions, Destinations, and Best Hospitals
Below is each condition, the destinations that handle it best for Nigerian patients, and the specific hospitals worth knowing.
- Cancer treatment- UK, Turkey, China
- Cancer treatments- UK, Turkey, India
- Orthopaedics
- Nephrology
- Cardiology
- Fertility
- Fibroids
- Neurology
- Cosmetic surgery
Cancer Treatment Abroad for Nigerian Patients
Cancer is the most urgent reason Nigerian patients travel. Patients travel for chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and bone marrow transplants for blood cancers such as leukaemia and lymphoma.
1. India
Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, Chennai One of only a few proton therapy centres in Asia.
Proton therapy delivers precise radiation with significantly less damage to surrounding tissue.
Best for: proton therapy, brain tumours, paediatric cancers, head and neck cancers.
HCG Hospitals, Bangalore / Mumbai / Kolkata A cancer treatments-only network.
Every department is built around cancer. Best for: complex cancer treatments, surgical cancer treatments, and blood cancers.
Kokilaben Hospital, Mumbai, dedicated BMT unit and da Vinci robotic surgical system (Xi model). International patient team with regular West African caseload. Best for: bone marrow transplants, robotic cancer surgery, leukaemia, lymphoma.
2. Turkey
Anadolu Medical Center, Gebze Our most frequent recommendation for Nigerian cancer treatments and bone marrow transplant patients in Turkey.
JCI-accredited and affiliated with Johns Hopkins Medicine International. Best for: BMT, solid tumour cancer treatments, and blood cancers.
Memorial Healthcare Group, Istanbul, Turkey's largest private hospital group.
JCI-accredited. Dedicated African patient coordinators. The fastest response times for Nigerian cancer treatment inquiries in our network.
Best for: cancer treatments, transplants, West African patients.
3. UK
The London Clinic, London One of London's largest independent hospitals. Offers the clinical depth and personal care that make London a genuine option.
Best for: complex cancer treatments, second opinions, and multi-specialty cancer cases.
Bishops Wood Hospital Cancer Centre, London A dedicated cancer centre within the Circle Health Group.
Focused specifically on cancer treatments, with access to London's wider specialist network. Best for: surgical cancer treatments, radiotherapy, and cancer treatment follow-up.
Cromwell Hospital, London, part of Bupa. One of London's most established private hospitals for international patients. Best for: cancer treatments, cardiac, and premium-tier London care.
4. China
China is an emerging option for Nigerian patients seeking stem cell therapy and certain cancer treatments not widely available elsewhere.
Fuda Cancer Hospital, Guangzhou, specialises in minimally invasive cancer treatments and offers treatments including cryotherapy and combined immunotherapy protocols for patients who have not responded to standard lines of treatment.
Cardiac Surgery Abroad for Nigerian Patients
Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), heart valve replacement, pacemaker implants, angioplasty, and more.
1. Turkey
Anadolu Medical Center, Gebze, Johns Hopkins-affiliated. Strong minimally invasive cardiac surgery capability alongside cancer treatments and transplant. Best for: cardiac surgery, minimally invasive heart procedures.
2. India
Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, Delhi. Over 15,000 cardiac procedures annually. Treating international patients for more than 20 years. JCI-accredited. Where we most often direct Nigerian cardiac cases. Best for: CABG, heart valve replacement, angioplasty.
Medanta: The Medicity, Gurgaon. Founded by Dr Naresh Trehan, trained at NYU Medical Centre. A 1,600-bed facility with 45 specialties. Strong on complex, high-risk cardiac cases. Best for: complex cardiac surgery, combined cardiac and transplant cases.
Apollo Hospital, Delhi One of India's highest-volume cardiac programmes. JCI-accredited. Hundreds of Nigerian cases are coordinated at this facility. Best for: cardiac surgery, interventional cardiology.
Kidney Transplant and Renal Care Abroad for Nigerian Patients
Kidney transplants are almost impossible to arrange in Nigeria at scale. The donor matching infrastructure and post-operative nephrology support simply do not exist for most patients.
According to the National Kidney Foundation, five-year survival rates for living-donor kidney transplants are approximately 85 to 90%.
Both India and Turkey require patients to bring their own compatible donor. Bone marrow transplants for blood cancers are not available in Nigeria. Travelling abroad is a medical necessity.
Medanta: The Medicity, Gurgaon. Home to Dr A.S. Soin, one of Asia's most respected transplant surgeons. Deep infrastructure across the kidney, liver, and BMT. Best for: kidney transplant, liver transplant, complex multi-organ cases.
Fortis Mulund, Mumbai One of the highest transplant volumes in the Fortis network. Well-established living donor programme. More cost-accessible than premium-tier Mumbai options. Best for: kidney transplant, living donor transplant, post-transplant nephrology.
Kokilaben Hospital, Mumbai, Dedicated BMT unit with full post-operative monitoring. Best Mumbai option for patients needing a transplant alongside active cancer treatment management. Best for: kidney transplant with cancer treatments, bone marrow transplant.
Liv Hospital, Istanbul Strong kidney and liver transplant programme with a dedicated Africa-focused international patient service. The clearest Turkish alternative for Nigerian patients who cannot manage the Indian visa process. Best for: kidney transplant, liver transplant, Nigeria-to-Turkey corridor.
We handle the hospital matching, donor documentation, visa pack, and travel logistics. Talk to us about your transplant
Orthopaedic Surgery Abroad for Nigerian Patients: Hip, Knee, and Spine
International-grade implants from Zimmer Biomet or Stryker are not consistently available in Nigeria. Post-operative complication stories from local procedures make patients cautious about elective joint surgery at home. This is a well-founded caution.
Turan Turan Healthcare Group, Bursa, Turkey. Our most consistent recommendation for Nigerian orthopaedic patients. Built specifically for joint replacement. High volume, strong outcomes, competitive costs, even within Turkey. Best for: total knee replacement, total hip replacement, bilateral joint surgery, revision arthroplasty.
MIOT International Hospital, Chennai, India. Chennai's specialist orthopaedic hospital. Dedicated joint replacement unit with Zimmer Biomet and Stryker implant availability. Best for: knee replacement, hip replacement, complex spine surgery.
Artemis Hospital, Gurugram, India, JCI-accredited. Robotic-assisted joint replacement available. Good for Nigerian patients combining orthopaedic surgery with cardiac or neurology consultations in Delhi. Best for: robotic knee replacement, spine surgery.
Acibadem Healthcare Group, Istanbul, Turkey's most established private hospital group. Strong orthopaedics across multiple Istanbul campuses. Best for: joint replacement, spine surgery, and combined cases in Istanbul.
Fertility and IVF Abroad for Nigerian Patients
Infertility carries significant social and cultural weight in Nigeria. Couples who have been through failed local IVF cycles, often with limited information about why cycles failed, turn to Spain, Dubai, Turkey, and India. Nigerian fertility patients are among the most thoroughly researched patient groups we work with.
Clinica Tambre, Madrid and Alicante, Spain. Spain has among the most permissive egg donation laws in Europe. Clinica Tambre has strong published success rates for IVF, ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection, used when sperm quality is a factor), and egg donation. Best for: IVF with donor eggs, ICSI, recurrent implantation failure.
Fakih IVF, Dubai One of the UAE's leading fertility centres. Strong embryology standards. Short direct flight from Lagos. Best for: IVF, ICSI, patients already familiar with Dubai.
Bourn Hall Fertility Clinic, Dubai Affiliated with Bourn Hall Cambridge, where the world's first IVF was performed. Consistent success rates across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Best for: IVF, ICSI, strong embryology credentials.
Dexeus University Hospital, Barcelona. Offers Fertility and cancer treatments together. Relevant for Nigerian patients whose fertility treatment follows a cancer diagnosis. Best for: fertility after cancer, IVF, egg donation.
Apollo Hospital, Delhi or Mumbai Lower cost per IVF cycle than Spain or Dubai, with comparable success rates at leading centres. JCI-accredited. Best for: cost-accessible IVF, ICSI, combined fertility and other treatments in India.
Neurology and Brain Surgery Abroad for Nigerian Patients
Brain tumours, epilepsy requiring surgical intervention, and complex spine cases represent some of the most urgent referrals we coordinate from Nigeria. These patients are often in crisis.
The London Clinic, London, Strong neurosciences department alongside cancer treatments and cardiac. For Nigerian patients with a brain or spine diagnosis, London's neurological specialists offer a standard of diagnostic precision and surgical planning that is difficult to match elsewhere. Best for: brain tumours, complex spine surgery, neurosurgical second opinions.
Medanta: The Medicity, Gurgaon, Strong neurosciences programme within a 1,600-bed facility covering 45 specialties. Good option for Nigerian patients managing both a neurological and cardiac or cancer treatment diagnosis simultaneously. Best for: brain surgery, spine surgery, and combined neurology and cancer treatments.
Neurogen Brain and Spine Institute, Mumbai A specialist institute for neurological rehabilitation, spinal cord injury, and stem cell therapy for neurological conditions. Relevant for Nigerian patients who have had a neurological injury and are seeking post-acute rehabilitation. Best for: neurological rehabilitation, spinal cord injury, and stem cell therapy for neurological conditions.
Fibroid Treatment and Women's Health Abroad for Nigerian Patients
Many travel for myomectomy (surgical removal of fibroids while preserving the uterus) or uterine artery embolisation, which cuts off the blood supply to fibroids without surgery.
Both are either unavailable or inconsistently performed at home. This is a growing category in the cases we coordinate from Nigeria.
Fortis La Femme, Delhi A dedicated women's health hospital within the Fortis network. Minimally invasive myomectomy, laparoscopic fibroid removal, and uterine artery embolisation. Best for: myomectomy, laparoscopic fibroid surgery, uterine artery embolisation.
Kokilaben Hospital, Mumbai, Robotic-assisted myomectomy using the da Vinci Xi system. Reduces blood loss, shortens hospital stay, and speeds recovery significantly compared to open surgery. Best for: robotic myomectomy, complex fibroids, and fertility-preserving surgery.
American Hospital Dubai JCI-accredited women's health department. Minimally invasive fibroid surgery and gynaecological laparoscopy. Best for: minimally invasive fibroid surgery, Dubai-based women's health.
Cosmetic Surgery Abroad for Nigerian Patients
Cosmetic surgery is a growing category among Nigerian patients travelling abroad. The UK leads for patients who want the highest clinical standards and practitioner credentials. Turkey leads for patients who want strong results at a more accessible cost.
The London Clinic, London Access to London's leading plastic and reconstructive surgeons, with post-operative care to match. Best for: reconstructive surgery, cosmetic procedures requiring hospital admission, premium-tier London cosmetics.
Cromwell Hospital, London Bupa-owned and one of London's most established private hospitals for international patients. Cosmetic and reconstructive surgery available. Best for: cosmetic surgery, London private hospital experience.
Memorial Healthcare Group, Istanbul, Turkey, is one of the world's most established cosmetic surgery destinations. Memorial Istanbul handles high volumes of cosmetic cases from African patients with strong infrastructure and aftercare. Best for: rhinoplasty, body contouring, cosmetic surgery in Istanbul.
Acibadem Healthcare Group, Istanbul One of Turkey's largest private hospital groups with plastic and reconstructive surgery departments across multiple Istanbul campuses. Best for: cosmetic surgery, reconstructive surgery, and combined cosmetic and medical cases.
Getting Your Visa: India, Turkey, and the UAE for Nigerian Passport Holders
India Medical Visa
Nigerian patients travelling for treatment should apply for an Indian Medical Visa (MED), not a tourist visa.
The medical visa allows multiple entries and a longer stay, and is specifically designed for patients receiving treatment at recognised hospitals.
Required documents:
- Valid Nigerian passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond intended stay)
- Completed online application at indianvisaonline.gov.in
- Recent passport photographs
- Confirmed hospital appointment letter on hospital letterhead, confirming the treatment and estimated duration
- Medical records supporting the diagnosis
- Financial evidence (bank statements showing sufficient funds)
- Hotel or accommodation booking in India
Processing time: 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the consulate. Apply early. Do not book flights before the visa is confirmed. Apply through the Indian High Commission in Abuja or the Indian Consulate in Lagos.
My 1Health assists patients with the hospital invitation letter and appointment confirmation, the two documents most commonly missing from incomplete applications.
Turkey E-Visa
Nigerian passport holders apply online at evisa.gov.tr. The process takes 24 to 72 hours in most cases. Application fee: approximately $50 to $75.
For patients comparing India and Turkey clinically and finding them roughly equivalent, the visa reality is a legitimate practical factor that can tip the decision.
UAE Visit Visa
Nigerian passport holders require a UAE medical visa, applied for through Emirates or Etihad Airlines at the time of booking, through a licensed UAE visa agent, or through the UAE ICP portal. Processing takes 3 to 5 working days. Some Nigerian patients with UK, US, or Schengen travel history may qualify for a visa on arrival, but this is not guaranteed. Verify eligibility before assuming it.
From Lagos to Hospital: What to Expect and How My 1Health Supports You
This section covers the journey, the logistics, and exactly how My 1Health coordinates every step.
Getting There: Routes from Lagos and Abuja
Lagos to Mumbai 10 to 14 hours | Via Dubai or Addis Ababa Emirates, Flydubai, Air Arabia via Dubai. Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa. |
Lagos to Delhi 11 to 15 hours | Via Dubai or Doha Emirates via Dubai. Qatar Airways via Doha. |
Lagos to Istanbul 6 to 10 hours | Direct or via Gulf hubs Turkish Airlines direct. Air Peace seasonal. Gulf connections also available. |
Abuja Add 1 to 2 hours | Via Lagos or direct on select routes Most Abuja patients connect through Lagos. Some direct routing available on certain routes. |
What Happens When You Arrive
Most major international hospitals in the My 1Health network have airport transfer services, either hospital-arranged or coordinated by us.
For hospitals in India, the UK, Turkey, Thailand, and the UAE, an international patient coordinator is assigned before you travel.
That coordinator handles your admission paperwork, appointment scheduling, doctor introductions, and day-to-day logistics throughout the stay.
You do not land in a foreign country and figure it out. You land with a name, a phone number, and someone who has done this hundreds of times before.
Companion Accommodation
Most patients travel with at least one family member. Budget $40 to $80 per night for serviced apartments or guesthouses near hospitals.
We maintain a list of approved nearby accommodation for each hospital in the network.
Book before you travel. Do not arrive without confirmed accommodation.
How Long Will You Be Away?
Build flexibility into your return booking. Complications and extended recovery happen. Use the table below as a guide. Your treatment plan will include a specific stay estimate.
| Procedure | In hospital | Outpatient recovery | Estimated total stay |
| Cardiac bypass (CABG) | 5 to 7 days | 2 to 3 weeks | 3 to 4 weeks total |
| Kidney transplant | 4 to 6 weeks | 3 to 4 weeks outpatient | 7 to 10 weeks total |
| Bone marrow transplant | 4 to 6 weeks | 4 to 6 weeks outpatient | 8 to 12 weeks total |
| Cancer (chemo and radiotherapy) | Outpatient or short stay | Ongoing during treatment | 6 to 12 weeks total |
| Knee or hip replacement | 3 to 5 days | 10 to 14 days | 2 to 3 weeks total |
| IVF (single cycle) | No admission required | 5 to 7 days monitoring | 10 to 14 days total |
How My 1Health Coordinates Your Journey
My 1Health is a global medical tourism facilitation company, not a hospital or an insurance provider.
We sit between you and the hospital and make sure everything from the first inquiry to the day you fly home is handled correctly.
- Free consultation: Send us your diagnosis via WhatsApp or the form on this page. We review your case and respond within 24 hours with a recommended destination and hospital shortlist.
- Treatment plan and cost estimate: We coordinate a formal treatment plan and cost estimate from the hospital. You see the full cost before you commit to anything. No surprises.
- Visa and travel documentation: We prepare your hospital invitation letter, appointment confirmation, and visa documentation pack. We have helped hundreds of Nigerian patients navigate the Indian medical visa process specifically.
- Arrival and in-hospital coordination: A dedicated coordinator is assigned before you travel. They handle airport transfer, admission, scheduling, and day-to-day communication throughout your stay.
- Aftercare follow-up: When you return home, we follow up on your aftercare plan and remain available if questions or complications arise.
Our Guarantees
- Same-price guarantee: You pay exactly what you would pay going directly to the hospital. Not a penny more.
- Free initial consultation: No obligation. No fee. We respond within 24 hours.
- 350+ accredited hospital partners: JCI and internationally accredited hospitals across 20 countries.
- 52,000+ patients assisted: From 95 countries since 2018. Nigerian patients were included from the start.
- Offices in Nairobi, Dubai, and London: We are operational across the corridors our patients use.
We do not guarantee outcomes. No honest facilitator does. What we guarantee is that the hospital has been vetted, the coordination is thorough, and you are not managing this alone.
Before you travel, have a clear answer to three questions:
- Which doctor or clinic in Lagos or Abuja will manage my follow-up care?
- Does the international hospital offer telemedicine follow-up for returning patients?
- If I need to return for a complication, what does that cost, and how quickly can it be arranged?
We raise these questions with every complex-case patient we coordinate. Ask your My 1Health coordinator the same.
FAQs
Which country is best for medical treatment from Nigeria?
India is the strongest overall destination for complex treatment: cancer treatments, cardiac surgery, kidney transplants, and orthopaedics.
It accounts for more than half of Nigeria's annual medical tourism outflow.
Turkey is the best alternative and is gaining ground fast, with the added advantage of an easier visa process.
Dubai suits patients with higher budgets seeking second opinions, fertility treatment, or cancer treatment screening.
How much does medical treatment in India cost for Nigerian patients?
Procedure costs in India range from approximately $4,000 for a straightforward orthopaedic procedure to $40,000 or more for complex transplants or multi-stage cancer treatment.
Return flights from Lagos to Mumbai or Delhi typically cost $600 to $1,400. Accommodation for a companion runs $40 to $80 per night. Budget 25 to 35% above the hospital quote to account for extended stay, companion costs, local transport, and medication on discharge.
Is the Indian medical visa difficult to get for Nigerian passport holders?
It requires documentation and takes time: 2 to 6 weeks. The key documents are a hospital invitation letter, a confirmed appointment, medical records, financial evidence, and a completed online application. My 1Health helps patients prepare the full visa package, which reduces the likelihood of delays or rejections. Apply at least four weeks before your intended travel date and do not book flights until the visa is confirmed.
Do Nigerian patients need to bring a donor for a kidney transplant abroad?
Yes. Both India and Turkey operate living donor transplant programmes for international patients. The patient must bring a compatible donor, a blood relative in most cases. Hospitals conduct donor compatibility and health assessments on arrival. Deceased-donor transplants are not available to international patients in either country. Identify and prepare your donor before travel, including ensuring they have the documentation for their visa.
Can Nigerian patients use health insurance for treatment abroad?
Most Nigerian HMOs do not cover international treatment. Some premium employer plans at multinationals or large corporations include international cover: check your policy documentation carefully. Patients without insurance coverage pay out of pocket or arrange staged payments. My 1Health coordinates with hospitals to facilitate payment arrangements where needed.
How long will I need to stay abroad for treatment?
It depends on the procedure. Cardiac bypass: 5 to 7 days in hospital, 2 to 3 weeks before flying home. Kidney transplant: 4 to 6 weeks in hospital, 3 to 4 weeks outpatient follow-up. Cancer treatment: 6 to 12 weeks, depending on the protocol. Build flexibility into your return booking.
Is it safe to travel from Nigeria to India or Turkey for medical treatment?
The clinical safety record of hospitals in both countries for Nigerian patients is strong. JCI accreditation is the global benchmark for hospital safety and quality, and all hospitals we recommend hold JCI or equivalent accreditation. The more relevant safety question is what happens after you return home. Ensure you have a plan for post-treatment follow-up in Nigeria before you travel.
How do I get started with My 1Health?
WhatsApp: +1 718 550 0880 | Telephone: +1 718 550 0880 | Email: [email protected] | Available 24/7.
Connecting patients to world-class medical care through our trusted hospital network
