NMA applauds Osinbajo for choosing a Nigerian hospital for his surgery
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has been commended by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) for opting to receive medical treatment in a local hospital which both expresses his confidence in Nigerian doctors and saves hard currency.
Osinbajo had a fracture in his leg while playing squash and successfully underwent surgery for it on 16 July at Duchess International Hospital, Ikeja.
This contrasts with the attitude of President Muhammadu Buhari who travels abroad for his every medical need.
Since Buhari assumed office in 2015, he has spent 213 days on medical tourism in the United Kingdom – 200 days by December 2021 and 13 days by 18 March 2022.
“The NMA wishes to thank God for seeing our Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo GCON, through surgery. All Nigerian Doctors are praying for his quick and complete recovery,” the NMA said in a statement.
“NMA hereby also commends Mr. Vice President for demonstrating confidence in the Nigerian Doctor and Healthcare system. We are certain that he was impressed.
“We call on other political office holders in Nigeria to emulate the Vice President and end medical tourism. It is time to fix our fragile healthcare system to the benefit of the common man and our economy. The time for action is now.”
Duchess International Hospital Medical Director Dr Adedoyin Dosunmu-Ogunbi explained in a statement that the surgery was performed by six specialist doctors.
He said Osinbajo “was admitted to the Duchess International Hospital GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, today [16 July] on account of a fracture of his right femur (thigh bone), possibly related to a longstanding injury associated with a game of squash.
“He had a surgical operation performed by a team of specialist doctors, including Dr Wallace Ogufere (Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon); Dr Om Lahoti (Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon); Dr Babajide Lawson (Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon); Dr Ken Adegoke (Consultant in Anaesthesia & Critical Care); Dr Oladimeji Agbabiaka (Consultant Anaesthetist); and Dr Adedoyin Dosunmu-Ogunbi (Consultant Physician & Medical Director).”
“The operation was successful, and he is expected to be discharged within the next few days.”
__________________________________________________________________
Related articles:
Buhari as mini antiChrist wasting Nigeria
Buhari runs away for 3 weeks amid fuel scarcity
Medical treatment abroad costs Nigeria $11b
__________________________________________________________________
Nigerian doctors are ‘some of the best anywhere’, says Osinbajo
A source close to Osinbajo told The Nation that he chose a local hospital to have the surgery to reinforce confidence in Nigeria’s medical facilities and reverse medical tourism.
“Although his doctors advised him to consider doing the surgical operation to correct a fracture on his right femur (thigh bone) abroad, the Vice President … insisted on using a Nigerian hospital and medical experts for the procedure,” he said.
“According to sources close to Duchess International Hospital, where the operation took place on Saturday, some of the government and private practice doctors of the VP made the suggestion because the going abroad option is often usually considered by such class of patients and at times the option could also seem more seamless.”
One of the experts who coordinated the operation, Dr. Yemi Onabowale, founder of Reddington Hospital, was quoted as saying, “the VP was clear that he had confidence in Nigerian doctors both at home and abroad and would prefer they handle the operation.”
Osinbajo argued that doing the operation in Nigeria would not only encourage local doctors who are among the best anywhere in the world but also build on the medical infrastructure in the country.
A Villa official, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed that Osinbajo was given the option to go abroad but opted to do the surgery in Nigeria.
“The VP’s view is that most people don’t even know the facilities exist here. He said besides, we have some of the best doctors available anywhere,” the official recounted.
