The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has condemned the incessant use of foreign medical care by leaders of the country.
Reacting to the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, NMA’s first vice president, Benjamin Olowojebutu said it is a shame that Nigerian leaders not only engage in medical tourism for healthcare but also die in these facilities.
Describing this as an indictment of the crumbling health system in Nigeria, Olowojebutu while speaking on Arise TV said the health sector is hugely neglected.
Olowojebutu also noted that about $7 billion is lost annually to medical tourism – a clear indication of the lack of confidence in the country’s health system by its leaders.
He said, “The government has failed Nigeria’s health space. We now have one doctor for about 10,000 patients.
“I think it’s important we know that you can’t say Nigerians should be patriotic and you as a leader can’t do the same. It’s been a lot of problems over and over again, that leaders leave the country in jeopardy, leave the country in this bad state, and use taxpayers’ money to go abroad to get themselves sorted. I think it’s not very good,” Olowojebutu stated.
Comparing leaders of other countries, Olowojebutu said Jimmy Carter, a former president of the United States of America died in his country.
He further accused the leaders of not having faith in the country as there is no value for Nigeria’s healthcare or its professionals.
“Health is supposed to be the right of every patient in this country, but right now, health looks like it’s very, very secluded, only for leaders that can afford to travel abroad at the tinkle of an eye,” he added.