The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Rivers State chapter, has sharply criticized former presidential spokesperson Femi Adesina.
His recent comments on the Nigerian healthcare sector were called an insult to millions of Nigerians who rely on the very system he disparaged.
Adesina had stated in a television interview that the late former President Muhammadu Buhari would likely have died earlier if he had depended solely on Nigerian hospitals.
He justified Buhari’s repeated medical trips abroad, explaining that Nigerian health facilities “lack the expertise” to manage complex conditions like Buhari’s.
A Disrespectful Statement, According to NMA
Dr. Diamond Tamunokuro, NMA Rivers State chairman, responded strongly during an interview with Daily Post.
He described Adesina’s comments as profoundly disrespectful to Nigerians who use local healthcare for everything from routine care to specialized treatment.
The remarks, Dr. Tamunokuro noted, implicitly acknowledge the failure of the administration Adesina once served highlighting their collective neglect of Nigeria’s health system.
Beyond insult, the statement damages the reputation of dedicated Nigerian health workers sacrificing daily to improve care despite systemic challenges.
Political Leadership Under Scrutiny
Dr. Tamunokuro urged Nigerians to demand accountability from political leaders.
He questioned whether these officials genuinely have the country’s welfare at heart or are merely enriching themselves at citizens’ expense.
“It’s an insult to hear such statements from political appointees who should champion progress,” Tamunokuro said.
“Many Nigerians receive effective care here and live long, healthy lives.
To dismiss that fact is to mock them.”
He emphasized that rather than seeking healthcare abroad, politicians and leaders ought to invest in local infrastructure and resources that would yield better health outcomes nationwide.
The Reluctance to Trust Nigerian Healthcare
Adesina argued Buhari’s choice to seek treatment abroad was necessary to stay alive long enough to push reforms.
He claimed UK doctors managing Buhari’s condition before his presidency justified the continuity of foreign healthcare.
However, this rationale is contested vehemently.
The suggestion that seeking treatment abroad was a practical necessity exposes a glaring contradiction: leaders promise to improve healthcare but seemingly abandon it when facing their own health crises.
Sacrifices of Nigerian Medical Professionals
Dr. Tamunokuro highlighted the dedication of Nigerian doctors who work under strenuous conditions to deliver healthcare.
He outlined ongoing expansions of services and improvements in quality, albeit hampered by insufficient government support.
“It is precisely frustrating to witness political neglect undermining the very system that professionals are striving to build,” he said.
Calls for Systemic Reform and Investment
The NMA chairman reiterated that future progress depends heavily on government creating enabling environments.
Budget allocations, infrastructural upgrades, and policy reforms must directly target health sector weaknesses.
“Investments should prioritize strengthening facilities and training to reduce dependence on foreign healthcare,” Tamunokuro insisted.
“Politicians must demonstrate they are serious about healthcare by redirecting resources accordingly.”
Public Reaction: Discontent and Demand for Better Governance
Adesina’s comments have reignited public debates about politicians’ reliance on foreign medical treatment.
Activists and ordinary Nigerians view this as emblematic of deeper governance flaws a failure to honor citizens’ right to quality health services.
Lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju recently urged President Bola Tinubu to make healthcare reform a priority.
The endless cycle of leaders fleeing Nigerian hospitals for foreign ones emboldens a culture of neglect and stigmatizes the local healthcare system.
The Controversy Reflects a Larger National Crisis
This controversy highlights an uncomfortable truth: Nigeria’s healthcare system remains fragile and underfunded despite its critical role in national development.
The mixed messages from government representatives exacerbate public distrust.
Political statements such as Adesina’s, interpreted as dismissive of the domestic system, risk demoralizing healthcare workers and alienating citizens who depend on local services daily.
Toward Accountability and Genuine Progress
Nigerian Medical Association insists Nigerians should press political leaders on their healthcare agenda.
Focus should shift from symbolic remarks to accountable actions and real-world investments.
“Politicians cannot claim to serve Nigeria if they don’t commit to fixing a healthcare system they themselves undermine,” Dr. Tamunokuro stressed.
Political Posturing vs. National Health Priorities
The NMA’s response exposes the frustration felt by frontline health workers and citizens alike.
To build trust and improve outcomes, Nigerian leadership must transform rhetoric into decisive action.
Otherwise, insults from political figures will deepen existing divides and stall urgently needed healthcare reform.
