Nigerians who seek medical treatment abroad are unpatrotic – Buhari’s minister

The minister of state for health, Dr Osagie Ehanire has frowned at Nigerians who seek medical attention abroad. According to The Guardian, Dr Ehanire described the act as unpatriotic.

He therefore urged Nigerians to stay in the country and take advantage of the improved health services at the nation’s medical centres. The minister made the comment after inspecting the Federal Medical Centre in Asaba, Delta state on Saturday, February 25.

Dr Osagie Ehanire

He lamented that Nigerians who travel abroad in droves to seek medical attention for their ailments, spend so much money in hard currency.

His words: “We need to provide money for our hospitals to upgrade their facilities to discourage people from travelling abroad for medical tourism. We believe if we can offer more services, people will be less inclined to travel abroad for medical treatment.”

A journalist then asked the minister: “But sir, talking about medical tourism, the president has been away in the United Kingdom for medical treatment for over a month.

“That is medical tourism. Don’t you think this is hypocrisy? People should practise what they preach. Charity, they say, begins at home.”

But the minister bluntly refused to answer the and instead moved on to another journalist.

“Next! Your question please!” he said, pointing to another reporter on the side-lines.

Recall that the personal assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on new media, Bashir Ahmad was aubjected to criticisms on a similar issue recently.

Bashir had advised Nigerians to patronise Made-in-Nigeria goods, an advice that didn’t go down well with some of his followers because of the president’s medical vacation.