Demands that the President Reveals Amount He Spent On Medical Tourism
By Charles Adingupu
As aggrieved members of the National Association Of Resident Doctors (NARD) begin its five-day warning strike today, Nigerians have harshly criticised President Muhammadu Buhari for allowing the lingering crisis to fester despite early notice by the Doctors.
The industrial action which will throw the nation’s paralytic health sector into another shock, begins today, Wednesday 17th May, and ends Monday 22nd May.
Sources said it was triggered by the federal government’s refusal to meet the legitimate demands of increased remuneration for thr long suffering doctors.
The striking Doctors and NIgerians alike were even more embittered when the Minister of Labour, Dr. Chris Ngige dismissed the aggrieved medical personnel with a wave of the hand on the excuse that the federal government was already negotiating with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).
Investigations by The New Diplomat on different social media platforms, revealed that Nigerians are embittered with President Buhari for allowing the Doctors to embark on the warning strike.
Moreover, the striking Resident Doctors have threatened that if by May 29, their demands are not met, they would welcome the New President with a strike.
Available reports showed that the nation’s health sector which is currently in terrible shape has over 30,000 healthcare centres with only 10% of them functional.
This poor state of affairs in the health sector has been responsible for the high rate of medical tourism embarked upon by the President and other government officials.
NIgerians lament that they were usually the victims of government failed policies and poor decisions as in the popular aphorism, “when two elephants fight it’s the grass that suffers.”
Excerpts:
Rufai Oseni Arise TV:
President Muhammadu Buhari is the biggest known medical tourist in the world. His handlers will be fair enough to release the total amount of money the President has spent on medical tourism since he assumed the mantle of leadership of Nigeria in 2015. Ironically, during his campaign, he promised to refurbish the health sector which was then in a poor state. Today, Buhari is living the sector worse than he met it. That was part of what the striking Resident Doctors are asking for. Provide facilities that would make their job easy.
Senator shehu Sani @kaduna:
It’s sad to note that the President came into power embarking on medical tourism to treat his Ear in the United Kingdom (UK). Now, on his exit from office, the President is treating his teeth in the UK.
Efe Boy @Warri:
Let President Buhari disclosed to NIgerians how much money he has spent on medical tourism that he finally killed hospitals in Nigeria. He doesn’t know that Nigerians are dying every minute of the day due to lack facilities and motivation of medical personnel.
Dominic West @Rivers:
Nigerians have never had it this bad. Nothing is working. The nation’s health care is in a poor state. Yet, our President runs to the UK to treat common Ear infections and tooth ache. What a shame? What a nation?
Reuben Abati Arise TV:
Resident Doctors are the backbone of the health sector. There should be massive recruitment of medical personnel to tackle the inherent challenges in the sector. Already there is a shortfall going by the report provided by the National President of NARD, Dr. Emeka Orji that the total number of Resident Doctors nationwide is 12,000. They’re asking for 200% increment of salaries and provision of adequate facilities in the hospitals. The implications of the Doctors’ strike is better imagined. Also, about $7Billion has been spent on medical tourism by this administration. The Bill seeking to halt government officials embarking on medical tourism abroad was frustrated. Today, every Tom, Dick and Harry in the services of the Nigerian government seek medical attention for common cold abroad.
For Dr. Ngige to assume that the NMA would accommodate the interest of the striking Resident Doctors is abysmal and unheard of.
Toafik @abuja:
The very first time President Buhari went to the UK for the treatment of undisclosed ailment, the nation suffered. The huge amount of money paid for keeping the presidential Jet in the UK Airport and the cost of treatment were burdens too great for Nigeria.
Adeleke @lagos:
Years back we used to describe hospitals in Nigeria as mare consulting clinics. But in this Buhari’s administration, our hospitals have become mortuaries. What a shame?
Efosa @edo:
President Buhari’s frequent trips to the UK, seeking medical solutions to his failing health affected Tinubu performance at the just concluded general elections. I pray the President elect will not the initial fears of NIgerians by embarking frequent medical tourism.
