Affordable Healthcare: How Can Hospitals Improve Access for the Common Man?

Health Grand March 6, 2025

Healthcare is a fundamental human right, yet millions of Nigerians struggle to afford quality medical services. In a country where out-of-pocket healthcare payments account for over 70% of total health expenditures, access to affordable and quality care remains a critical challenge.

For the common man—market traders, artisans, teachers, small business owners, and low-income earners—basic healthcare services often remain out of reach due to high costs, poor insurance coverage, and inadequate medical facilities. The question remains: How can hospitals improve access to affordable healthcare without compromising quality?

At Grandville Medical & Laser, we believe that every Nigerian deserves access to world-class healthcare, regardless of economic status. Through innovative pricing models, strategic partnerships, insurance collaborations, and technology-driven solutions, we are working to bridge the gap between quality and affordability in medical services.

This article explores the challenges of healthcare affordability in Nigeria, the role of hospitals in improving access, and how Grandville is making quality healthcare more accessible to the common man.

THE CHALLENGE OF AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE IN NIGERIA

Nigeria’s healthcare system is largely underfunded, and many hospitals rely on direct patient payments to sustain operations. This has resulted in:

✔ High Cost of Treatment: Many Nigerians cannot afford hospital bills, forcing them to self-medicate or seek unqualified alternatives.

✔ Limited Insurance Coverage: Less than 10% of Nigerians are covered under health insurance, leaving most people to pay out-of-pocket for medical care.

✔ Shortage of Government Hospitals: Public hospitals often lack adequate facilities, drugs, and personnel, forcing patients to seek treatment in expensive private hospitals.

✔ Brain Drain of Medical Professionals: Many Nigerian doctors migrate abroad due to low salaries and poor working conditions, increasing the cost of accessing specialized care.

Without an effective strategy to make healthcare affordable, millions of Nigerians will continue to suffer from preventable illnesses.

HOW CAN HOSPITALS IMPROVE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE?

Hospitals play a key role in making healthcare accessible and cost-effective for patients. Here’s how:

1. Expanding Health Insurance Coverage

Health insurance is one of the most effective ways to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses and ensure that more Nigerians receive timely treatment.

✔ Partnering with NHIS and Private Health Insurance Providers

Hospitals should collaborate with health insurance firms to offer subsidized health plans for low-income earners.
Grandville Medical & Laser works closely with insurance companies and corporate organizations to make healthcare affordable for more Nigerians.

✔ Introducing Flexible, Low-Cost Health Plans

Not every Nigerian can afford full insurance coverage, but hospitals can provide customized health packages that allow patients to pay in installments.
Grandville has designed affordable healthcare packages for families, small businesses, and self-employed individuals, ensuring wider coverage at lower costs.

✔ Expanding Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs)

More hospitals should accept HMO patients to ensure that insured individuals receive quality treatment without financial barriers.

2. Reducing the Cost of Essential Medical Services

Many patients avoid hospital visits because of high consultation fees and diagnostic costs. Hospitals can reduce costs by:

✔ Offering Discounted Consultation Fees & Free Health Screenings

Regular health check-ups help in early disease detection, preventing expensive treatments in the future.
Grandville offers discounted consultation services and free medical check-ups during community health outreaches.

✔ Providing Subsidized Diagnostic Services

Many Nigerians cannot afford MRI, CT scans, and lab tests, delaying diagnosis and treatment.
At Grandville, we offer cost-effective diagnostic services without compromising quality.

✔ Bulk Procurement of Medical Supplies to Lower Costs

Hospitals can negotiate lower prices for medications and medical equipment through bulk purchasing and strategic partnerships.

3. Strengthening Primary Healthcare Services

Primary healthcare (PHC) is the foundation of an effective healthcare system. Improving PHC services can reduce hospital overcrowding and healthcare costs.

✔ Setting Up More Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs)

More PHCs in rural and underserved areas can provide affordable care for common illnesses like malaria, infections, and minor injuries.
Grandville is expanding its outreach programs to bring affordable care closer to communities.

✔ Training More Community Health Workers

Hospitals can train community health workers to provide basic medical services and early disease detection, reducing the need for expensive hospital visits.

4. Leveraging Technology for Cost-Effective Healthcare Delivery

Digital transformation can significantly reduce healthcare costs and expand access to medical services.

✔ Telemedicine & Online Consultations

Virtual consultations help reduce hospital visits, lower costs, and provide faster medical advice.
Grandville offers telemedicine services, allowing patients to speak with doctors remotely and receive quick medical guidance.

✔ AI-Powered Diagnostics

Artificial intelligence (AI) is helping doctors detect diseases earlier and improve treatment accuracy, reducing the need for expensive interventions.
At Grandville, we integrate AI-driven diagnostic tools to enhance precision and affordability in medical tests.

✔ Mobile Health Apps for Preventive Care

Hospitals can introduce mobile health apps to educate people on disease prevention, healthy lifestyles, and medication reminders.

5. Offering Flexible Payment Options

Many Nigerians postpone treatment due to financial constraints. Hospitals can make healthcare more affordable by:

✔ Introducing Pay-as-You-Go Plans

Patients can pay in small, manageable installments instead of facing a large one-time bill.
Grandville offers flexible payment plans for major treatments, ensuring that cost is not a barrier to quality care.

✔ Corporate & Employee Healthcare Plans

Hospitals should partner with businesses and organizations to provide affordable health plans for employees.
Grandville has tailored corporate health packages to ensure employees get regular check-ups and timely medical care.

GRANDVILLE MEDICAL & LASER: MAKING QUALITY HEALTHCARE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL

At Grandville Medical & Laser, we are committed to providing high-quality, affordable healthcare through:

✔ Affordable Consultation Fees & Subsidized Treatments – Ensuring that every Nigerian can access quality medical care.

✔ Insurance Partnerships & Flexible Payment Plans – Making healthcare financially accessible for individuals and businesses.

✔ Telemedicine & Digital Health Solutions – Expanding remote healthcare access to underserved areas.

✔ Community Outreach & Free Health Screenings – Educating and providing care to low-income communities.

🚀 We believe that no one should be denied healthcare because of financial constraints. Grandville is here to bridge the gap between affordability and excellence.

🏥 Grandville Medical & Laser Hospital Locations:

Lekki: Plot 106 Taju Okoya Close, Eleganza Garden Estate, Opposite VGC, Lekki, Lagos. 📞 Tel: 0817 153 0599
Surulere: 76 Femi Ayantuga Street, Surulere, Lagos. 📞 Tel: 0816 454 8279, 0812 020 8868
Abuja: 5b Lephalala Close, Off Ganges, Maitama. 📞 Tel: 0817 323 3025
🌐 Website: www.gml.com.ng

CONCLUSION: THE FUTURE OF AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE IN NIGERIA

Hospitals must take the lead in making healthcare more affordable. By expanding health insurance coverage, reducing costs, leveraging technology, and offering flexible payment options, we can ensure that millions of Nigerians receive the care they need.

📢 At Grandville, we are redefining healthcare affordability—because every life deserves quality care.

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