Human rights lawyer and political activist, Deji Adeyanju, has lashed out at the Federal Government over its failure to establish a functional healthcare system, describing the continued medical tourism by Nigeria’s political leaders as shameful and a glaring symbol of leadership failure.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Adeyanju condemned the trend of politicians routinely seeking medical treatment abroad, particularly in light of the country’s deteriorating healthcare infrastructure which leaves millions of Nigerians without access to quality care.
“It is shameful that after more than 60 years of independence, Nigerian leaders still rely on foreign hospitals,” Adeyanju stated. “What does it say about our priorities as a nation when our leaders cannot trust the hospitals they built for the people they govern?”
His comments came in the wake of the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away in a London hospital after a prolonged illness. Buhari was frequently criticised during his time in office for seeking medical care overseas—a practice that has continued under the current administration of President Bola Tinubu, who has also reportedly travelled abroad for health reasons.
“Nigerian politicians have turned foreign hospitals into personal clinics, while the healthcare system at home is neglected and underfunded,” Adeyanju said.
He concluded by calling the situation not only a failure of governance but also an insult to the suffering masses who lack access to even the most basic healthcare services.
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