The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has condemned the trend of political leaders seeking medical care and dying in foreign hospitals, calling it a shameful reflection of Nigeria’s poor healthcare system.
Dr Benjamin Olowojebutu, NMA’s first vice president, expressed concern during an interview on Arise TV. He revealed that Nigeria loses approximately $7 billion annually to medical tourism, indicating a lack of trust in the country’s healthcare sector. He said many leaders ignore the failing hospitals they oversee, yet use public funds to get treatment abroad. He added that one doctor now attends to about 10,000 patients in Nigeria. Dr Olowojebutu questioned why leaders, like the late former President Buhari, die in foreign hospitals while ignoring local medical professionals.
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