Medical tourism is increasingly causing an imbalance in countries where physicians and health practices cannot advertise the kind of services they render. We examined this imbalance in a publication released today in the Pan African Medical Journal.

 

We conclude by suggesting a review of the medical code of ethics against Physician advertising in Nigeria.

 

The abstract is available below:

 

Advances in management of clinical conditions are being made in several resource poor countries including Nigeria. Yet, the code of medical ethics which bars physician and health practices from advertising the kind of services they render deters these practices. 

 

This is worsened by the incursion of medical tourism facilitators (MTF) who continue to market healthcare services across countries over the internet and social media thereby raising ethical questions. 

 

A significant review of the advertisement ban in the code of ethics is long overdue. 

 

Limited knowledge about advances in medical practice among physicians and the populace, the growing medical tourism industry and its attendant effects, and the possibility of driving brain gain provide evidence to repeal the code. Ethical issues, resistance to change and elitist ideas are mitigating factors working in the opposite direction. 

 

The repeal of the code of medical ethics against advertising will undoubtedly favor health facilities in the country that currently cannot advertise the kind of services they render. A repeal or review of this code of medical ethics is necessary with properly laid down guidelines on how advertisements can be and cannot be done.

 

The full paper can be accessed freely through this link.

 

Kind Regards' 

Dr Olusesan A. Makinde 

Epidemiology/ Health Informatics Specialist

 

HIFA profile: Olusesan Makinde is an Epidemiology/ Health Informatics specialist with several years of experience in Clinical and Public Health Practice in Nigeria and the US. He is a Physician with graduate training in Epidemiology and Health Informatics from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria and the Johns Hopkins University, USA.