Nigerian Medical Association Slams Leaders for Dying Abroad, Calls It a National Shame 

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has strongly criticized the continued reliance of the country’s leaders on foreign medical care, describing it as a disgrace and a reflection of the government’s neglect of the nation’s healthcare system.

Reacting to the recent death of former President Muhammadu Buhari in a foreign hospital, NMA’s First Vice President, Dr. Benjamin Olowojebutu, said it is “shameful” that Nigerian leaders not only seek medical treatment abroad but also end up dying there.

Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, Olowojebutu said the trend underscores the government’s failure to invest in the country’s crumbling health infrastructure. “It is a national disgrace. Our leaders travel abroad with taxpayers’ money for treatment while Nigerians are left with a collapsed system,” he said.

According to him, Nigeria loses an estimated $7 billion annually to medical tourism, driven largely by the lack of confidence in the country’s health system—even among those charged with improving it.

“We now have one doctor for every 10,000 patients. The health sector is on life support,” he noted. “How can we talk about patriotism when our leaders don’t trust the system they oversee?”

Olowojebutu contrasted the behavior of Nigerian leaders with counterparts in other countries, citing the example of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who died in his home country. “That shows commitment to the system,” he added.

He also emphasized that healthcare is a fundamental right and not a privilege reserved for the elite. “Today, healthcare in Nigeria seems available only to those who can afford to board a plane out of the country at a moment’s notice,” he said.

The NMA has repeatedly called on the government to prioritize healthcare funding, upgrade medical facilities, and improve the welfare of health professionals to stem the brain drain and restore public confidence in the system.