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Outrage in medical community as Adesina credits Buhari’s longevity to foreign hospitals
Medical professionals across Nigeria have faulted Femi Adesina, a former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, over his recent remarks suggesting the former Nigerian leader could have died long ago if he had used Nigerian hospitals for medical treatments.
The doctors described Adesina’s statement as ignorant, insensitive, and disrespectful to thousands of medical professionals who continue to serve under challenging conditions in the country.
PUNCH Healthwise had reported that the former president was confirmed dead last Sunday in a hospital in the United Kingdom, according to his former spokesperson, Mallam Garba Shehu.
His death comes years after his administration faced widespread criticism for frequent overseas medical trips, even as local hospitals remained underfunded and unequipped.
While justifying Buhari’s repeated medical trips to the United Kingdom while in office, the former presidential spokesperson, during an interview on Channels Television, said the former Nigerian leader may not have survived his health challenges if he had relied solely on Nigerian hospitals for treatment.
Adesina argued that the decision to continue treatment abroad was based on professional expertise and the limitations of Nigeria’s healthcare system at the time.
“Buhari always had his medicals in London, even when he was not in the office. So it was not about the time he was president alone. He had always had it there.
“One has to be alive first to get certain things corrected or changed in the country. If Buhari had said he would do his medicals here as a show of patriotism or something, he could have long been dead because there may not be the expertise needed in the country,” he said.
But reacting, the leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association and the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors faulted Adesina’s remarks, stressing that it is “a slap on Nigerian healthcare professionals who continue to work under harsh conditions at home.”
Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise, the leadership of the medical bodies raised concerns over Nigeria’s persistent reliance on foreign medical care, accusing successive governments of neglecting local hospitals.
They called for urgent investment in health infrastructure and a ban on medical tourism by public officials.
The NARD president, Dr. Tope Osundara, said Adesina’s comment undermines the competence of Nigerian doctors and fuels distrust in the health sector.
He pointed to several high-profile cases, including that of former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who successfully underwent surgery in Nigeria, as evidence that the country has capable medical hands.
He stated, “Femi Adesina spoke out of sheer ignorance. We have enough competent doctors in Nigeria. Even the former Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, received surgery here in Nigeria. The late president’s son was also stabilised in Nigeria after his accident before being moved abroad.”
The NARD president described the former presidential spokesman’s comments as not only misleading but also damaging to the credibility of the country’s healthcare system.
“The truth is, there are doctors in this country who can effectively handle any kind of ailment. People are being treated successfully every day in our hospitals. So, to say the late president couldn’t have been treated here is unfair to the profession,” he added.
On the broader issue of medical tourism, the NARD president decried the consistent movement of Nigerian leaders abroad for treatment, despite their control over the country’s health budget.
He stressed, “Medical tourism has drained our economy. The funds that should have been invested in our healthcare infrastructure are now enriching foreign hospitals. If just a fraction of those resources had been used to upgrade even one hospital in Abuja, it could match any top-tier hospital globally.”
He also called on President Bola Tinubu to reverse the trend and lead a reform of the health sector by example.
“If leaders don’t use our hospitals, they are indirectly telling the public that our hospitals are not good enough, which erodes trust,” he maintained.
Also speaking, the First Vice-President of NMA, Dr. Benjamin Olowojebutu described Adesina’s remarks as a “big slap” on the medical community.
He said it was shameful that after eight years in government, the Buhari administration could not fix a single world-class hospital in Nigeria.
While urging Adesina to embark on public apology to Nigerian doctors, the NMA leader added, “If you served as a spokesperson for eight years and you can’t point to a single hospital you fixed for the president’s use, then come out to say he would have died here, that’s grossly inappropriate.”
Olowojebutu praised Nigerian doctors who have stayed behind to work under difficult conditions, calling them patriotic.
“We believe the best doctors are in Nigeria. What we need is an enabling environment. Everything being sought abroad can be provided here with the right investment,” he said.
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