Buhari kicks against treatment abroad after 5th medical trip to UK
President Muhammadu Buhari has kicked against Nigerians who continue going abroad for medical treatment after his fifth medical trip to the United Kindom in 2018.
On Friday, January 3, 2019, Buhari said ‘Nigerians have suffered so much going abroad for medical treatment.’
“Nigerians have suffered so much going abroad for medical treatment. This is not good for us and it must stop because we can’t afford it again,” he said.
Buhari made this known during the inauguration and handover of completed projects to the management of the at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki.
On Tuesday, May 8, 2018, Buhari departed Nigeria for the medical review in the UK and returned on Saturday, May 12, 2018.
Since becoming president in 2015, President Buhari has spent more than 170 days in London on official medical leave.
In April 2016, Buhari told the nation that he isn’t a fan of medical tourism and that he won’t encourage the political class to take to embark on such a trip abroad.
“While this administration will not deny anyone of his or her fundamental human rights, we will certainly not encourage expending Nigerian hard-earned resources on any government official seeking medical care abroad, when such can be handled in Nigeria“, Buhari said.
Here are all the times Buhari has flown to London for medical reasons.
February 5, 2016
Buhari embarks on a six-day medical vacation to London.
June 6, 2016
Buhari takes to the skies for a 10-day medical vacation.
Presidency says Buhari has to travel to deal with a “persistent ear infection”.
January 19, 2017
Buhari is off to London again on a medical vacation.
February 5, 2017
Buhari writes the national assembly, asks lawmakers to extend his London medical leave.
March 10, 2017
Buhari returns to Nigeria but doesn’t resume work immediately. Presidency says “he’s working from home”.May 7, 2017
Buhari embarks on trip to London for another medical vacation. He returns after 104 days.
August 19, 2017
Buhari returns to Nigeria and it takes him a while to resume work because rats have reportedly damaged furniture in his office.
Presidency announces he’ll be working from home.
May 8, 2018
Buhari is off to London for “medical review”—another name for a medical vacation.
It is his 5th medical trip since he was inaugurated president on May 29, 2015.