By Kede Aihie
The passing of General Buhari in a London clinic has reignited the debate about African leaders seeking medical treatment abroad, often opting for facilities in London, Paris, Germany, Dubai, or Saudi Arabia. A former Nigerian military head of state, currently receiving treatment in London, revealed in an interview with a Nigerian TV station that he was in the same hospital as Buhari. However, his candid admission seemed to overlook the sensitivity of sharing such information.
This raises a pertinent question: why do African leaders take pride in seeking medical treatment abroad? Is it a matter of perceived better quality care, or is there a lack of trust in their own healthcare systems? Why can’t they prioritize investing in hospitals and healthcare infrastructure in their respective countries?
The situation is particularly striking when considering Nigeria’s healthcare spending. Nigeria’s healthcare spending as a percentage of its GDP has remained below 4% over the past five years. Specifically, in recent budget proposals, the healthcare allocation has been around 3% of the country’s GDP and approximately 5.03% of the total budget. This falls short of the African Union’s recommended benchmark of 15%. The country’s healthcare system faces significant challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, insufficient funding, and a shortage of healthcare professionals. For instance, Nigeria has a doctor-to-patient ratio of about 1:4,000-5,000, which is far below the World Health Organization’s recommended ratio of 1:600.
It’s worth noting that leaders from countries like the US, UK, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE typically have access to top-notch medical facilities within their own borders. This is because they have invested heavily in their healthcare systems.
To gauge public opinion on this issue, I conducted a WhatsApp poll asking: “Should African leaders be barred from receiving medical treatment abroad by foreign governments?” With over 250 responses, a staggering 95% agreed that leaders should be held accountable for prioritizing healthcare in their own countries. What are your thoughts on this matter?
