Medical tourism and African healthcare system: Behavioural analysis of the role of African leaders

Abstract

This article analyses factors influencing the behaviour or action of African leaders or health experts in replicating the type of improved healthcare system in western countries in Africa. It argues that while studies have extensively investigated and blamed African leaders for squandering the continent’s resources to receive medical care overseas, there is little evidence on how such healthcare knowledge from medical tourism, overseas is replicated in their respective African countries. The paper asks: Why has African healthcare systems remained in deplorable condition, despite massive medical trips and tourism overseas by Africans? Could knowledge acquired from medical tourism overseas be replicated in Africa to enhance and improve African healthcare systems? And what are the factors influencing the behaviour or action of African leaders in replicating medical knowledge garnered from tourism in Africa? A qualitative research design that relies on desktop reviews of research studies that are related to the subject was utilised. Results showed that African healthcare system has remained deplorable because African medical tourists have repeatedly showed little or no interest to channel knowledge acquired from their medical tourism overseas to their home healthcare systems. African politicians are counselled to capitalise on their medical treatments received and experiences gained to develop and improve their own medical facilities and services in home countries, ultimately stimulating intra-regional medical tourism.