Nigeria’s bariatric surgery sector is still facing major growth challenges despite about 15 years of development and early milestones in the country’s medical landscape. Medical experts say that while bariatric (weight-loss) surgery has moved from being almost non-existent around 2010 to an emerging specialty in Nigeria, access remains extremely limited for patients who need it. The issue was highlighted during recent discussions by the Bariatric and Metabolic Surgeons Society of Nigeria (BMSSN), which marked the progress of the field and reviewed its current gaps.
According to specialists, Nigeria has made clinical progress, with outcomes from surgeries showing strong success rates and complication levels comparable to global standards. However, the overall number of procedures remains very low, and the service is still concentrated in a few major cities.
Experts point to several barriers slowing expansion. These include high out-of-pocket costs for patients, limited awareness among both the public and some healthcare providers, and a shortage of trained specialists and supporting infrastructure. Many of the surgical tools and consumables are imported, making procedures expensive and vulnerable to supply disruptions.
The report also highlights a wider health system challenge: underfunding and weak investment in healthcare infrastructure, which continues to affect advanced medical services like bariatric surgery.
Despite these obstacles, practitioners say the field has reached a “proof of concept” stage in Nigeria, showing that high-quality bariatric care is possible locally. They argue that stronger investment, insurance coverage, and public awareness are needed to close the gap between demand and access.
Source: https://independent.ng/nigerias-bariatric-surgery-gap-worsens-despite-15-year-milestones
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