Osinbajo’s Medical Patriotism -By Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua

Vice president, Yemi Osibanjo has recently undergone surgical procedure on account of a recurrent pain in the leg sustained while playing squash. The surgical operation has been successful and he is fast recovering as stated by his spoke person, Laolu Akande. However, the decision by vice president, Yemi Osibanjo, to patronise our hospital for the operation instead of flying abroad has become the topic of discussion among nigerians. Nigerian ruling elites have penchant for medical tourism. Sometimes, they jet out to foreign hospitals to treat even common sickness such as: headache and cold. The prevelance of medical tourism has lead to collapse of our health sector with many hospitals becoming glorified clinics. The covid-19 pandemic which hit the world in 2020 and Nigeria inclusive had further exposed the rot in our health sector. Little wonder, Osibanjo’s medical patriotism attracts commendations not only from nigerians but also the Nigeria medical Association (NMA). The NMA boss, Dr Ojinmah,while lauding the vice president stated” Osinbajo would have run outside the shores of the country and still meet nigerians doctors there to get the surgery done, but he chose to do it here in Nigeria. This rare courage indicated, he has confidence in Nigerian doctors
With the increasing population of Nigerians moving out from the country to seek medical treatment abroad and the huge impact on the nation’s economy, it has become a matter of urgency to revamp the health sector to edge the ugly trend. Tens of thousands of Nigerians travel every year to the United States of America, (USA), United Kingdom, (UK), India, Thailand, Turkey, France, Canada, Germany Malaysia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia and China, among other countries for treatments ranging from kidney transplant, open heart or cardiac surgeries, neurosurgeries, cosmetic surgeries, orthopedic surgeries, eye surgery and other health conditions, to the extent of delivering babies over there. It is estimated that Nigeria loses about $1.3 billion to medical tourism yearly, which has caused a huge burden on the nation’s economy.

The inadequacy of Nigeria’s health system has been traced to the thriving foreign medical tourism due to poor service delivery, poor funding, poor infrastructure and absence of specialist services.

Besides, what about the massive doctors’ exodus abroad ? It is estimated that, at least 2,000 medical doctors leave Nigeria yearly and no fewer than 5,407 Nigerian trained doctors are currently working with the British National Health Service in the United Kingdom. It is also estimated that, 33,000 out of the 75,000 registered doctors left the shores of the country for greener pastures. Therefore, Osibanjo’s medical patriotism should mark a paradigm shift for excessive taste for medical tourism in the country by government officials. There is the need for government to come up with laws banning government officials from medical trips abroad, unless on the advises of specialists. Government at all levels should increase budgetary allocations of health sector, build and equip our hospitals with modern facilities. By doing so, the tastes for medical tourism will stop. Although, he is being privileged to travel to any country for medical attention, the vice president has shown an exemplary lifestyle worthy of copying. Nigerians pray for his quick recovery.

Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua, Kaduna state 08169056963