Buhari’s medical trip abroad not medical tourism but wisdom – Presidency insists

The Presidency says President Muhammadu Buhari’s medical trip to London should not be misunderstood for medical tourism adding it is only wise for the president to do so.

According to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the president in his wisdom has chosen to retain “some set of doctors who have insured good health” for him for about 30 years, instead of settling for some doctors in Nigeria just because of distance barrier.

Speaking on Channels Television’s programme, ‘Politics Today’ on Tuesday, Shehu said, “I think there is a misconception of the President’s trip seen in the context of medical tourism. President Buhari is not a medical tourist.”

He added: “If someone has kept retainership with medical experts, you are talking about 30 years and plus to examine you and they give you a pass. Would you be changing your doctors every other year because there is a chance that the distance will be shortened? No. I think that the President is wise and quite correct in his decision that he retains some set of doctors who have insured good health for himself.”

President Buhari jetted out of Nigeria for London on Tuesday afternoon for medical check-up in Britain.

His medical trip has sparked very negative reactions among many Nigerians who recounted his campaign promises of revamping the country’s health sector and ending medical tourism.

The President is expected back in the country by the second week in April.