By Sowore Knocks Abdulsalami Over India Knee Surgery Hospital Advert, Takes Swipe at Tinubu
Activist and Presidential Candidate, Omoyele Sowore has criticised former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, after he was featured in promotional material by an Indian hospital following his knee replacement surgery.
Sowore shared the hospital advert on social media, questioning why Nigerian leaders who had the opportunity to improve the country’s healthcare system often seek medical treatment abroad.
The Indian hospital, Krishna Shalby Hospital in Ahmedabad, confirmed that Abubakar underwent total knee replacement surgery at the facility.
The hospital described his treatment as part of its international patient care programme.
Reacting to the development, Sowore argued that the situation was an indictment of decades of poor investment in Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
“These so-called ‘experienced leaders’ had every opportunity while in power to build first-class healthcare facilities in Nigeria,” Sowore said in his post.
He questioned why former leaders who had access to state resources and policymaking powers would have to seek medical treatment outside Nigeria in old age.
Sowore also took a swipe at President Bola Tinubu, saying that “perhaps one day a hospital in France will be using a Nigerian president, Tinubu for its adverts.”
His comments have once again drawn attention to Nigeria’s long-running medical tourism problem, with Nigerians, including prominent political figures, frequently seeking specialised treatment abroad.
Abubakar, who ruled Nigeria as military Head of State between 1998 and 1999 before handing over to an elected civilian government, has largely remained outside active partisan politics since leaving office.
The development has nevertheless renewed debate over whether Nigeria’s political class has done enough over the years to build a healthcare system capable of providing advanced treatment locally.
